Comparison of central macular thickness between two spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in elderly non-mydriatic eyes

AIM: To compare central macular thickness (CMT) measurements obtained by two spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) exams, and to evaluate measurement reproducibility and agreement between these two exams, and to investigate the relationship between CMT and possible influencing factors such as age, sex, eye (OD/OS), and operators in elderly non-mydriatic eyes. METHODS: Seventy-two normal subjects were included. Every subject underwent CMT measurement twice using one of two SD-OCT (OSE-2000, Moptim, Shenzhen, China & 3-D OCT-1000, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) instruments respectively where we randomly chose one eye in each patient for the test; these exams were performed by two operators over an hour period with a brief rest between sessions. Comparison of the OSE-2000 and 3-D OCT-1000 CMT measurements was based on paired- t test The mean difference between the CMT measurements was calculated. General linear model analyzed the relationships among eye (OD/OS), operator, sex, and CMT values using age as co-variant. All tests were considered statistically significant at P <0.05. The main outcome measures included CMT. RESULTS: When evaluated with general linear model analysis, CMT measurements were found to have high reproducibility across the two instruments between the two operators for the OSE-2000 single line scan and 3-D OCT-1000 macular scans (P=0.731; P=0.443). There was statistically significant difference in CMT values between the two instruments (P<0.001) and the mean difference was -46.83 mu m at 95% confidence limits (-49.15,-44.51). Age was positively correlated with CMT (beta coefficient =0.516, P=0.001; beta coefficient=0.453, P =0.009) and sex was correlated with CMT from the OSE-2000 (P=0.021) but not with the 3-D OCT-1000 (P=0.056). According to the actual thickness measurements, the CMT of the male was thicker than the female's but there was no statistical difference. There was interaction between sex and eye in OSE-2000 and not in 3-D OCT-1000 (P=0.02; P =0.374). No significant correlation was found between CMT and the influencing factor of eye in both of the instruments (P=0.884; P=0.492). CONCLUSION: Reproducibility of CMT measurement using the two SD-OCTs is excellent in normal eyes according to the operator factor analysis. OSE-2000 has a different posterior retinal boundary of CMT measurement, which results in the CMT value differences, compared with the 3-D OCT-1000. Age is positively correlated with CMT measurement while sex is correlated with CMT in the OSE-2000 but not in the 3-D OCT-1000 and eye (OD/OS) had no correlation with CMT values. Mydriatic drops may not be necessary for CMT measurement using high scan rate SD-OCT in normal eyes in dark room.

Non-linear relationship between age and subfoveal choroidal thickness in Chinese patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

BACKGROUND No study has investigated the change regularity between age and subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT)in proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).AIM To investigate the relationship between the SFCT and age in Chinese patients with PDR.METHODS This was a cross-sectional retrospective study.The participants were hospitalized individuals with type 2 diabetes who underwent vitrectomy for PDR.Contralateral eyes that met the criteria were included in the study.All necessary laboratory tests were performed at the time of admission.Central macular thickness(CMT)and SFCT were two quantitative assessments made using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.CMT was measured automatically and SFCT was measured manually with digital calipers provided by the Heidelberg Eye Explorer software.RESULTS The final analysis included a total of 234 individuals with PDR.The average age was 55.60 years old±10.03 years old,and 57.69%of the population was male.Univariate analysis revealed a significant negative connection between age and SFCT in patients with PDR[β=-2.44,95%confidence interval(95%CI):-3.46 to-1.42;P<0.0001].In the fully adjusted model,the correlation between SFCT and age remained steady(β=-1.68,95%CI:-2.97 to-0.39;P=0.0117).Spline smoothing showed that the relationship between SFCT and age in patients with PDR was non-linear,with an inflection point at 54 years of age.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that age is a key determinant of choroidal thickness.The non-linear link between SFCT and age in PDR patients should be taken into account.

Effects of vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling in patients with diabetic macular edema

BACKGROUND Diabetic macular edema(DME),a chronic microvascular complication of diabetes,is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness.Pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)can restore the normal macular structure and reduce macular edema,whereas internal limiting membrane(ILM)peeling is used to treat tractional macular diseases.Despite the advantages,there is limited research on the combined effects of PPV with ILM peeling.AIM To observe the effects of PPV combined with ILM peeling on postoperative central macular thickness(CMT),best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),cystoid macular edema(CME)volume,and complications in patients with DME.METHODS Eighty-one patients(92 eyes)diagnosed with DME at the Beijing Shanqu Liangxiang Hospital between January and December 2022 were randomly divided to undergo PPV alone(control group:41 patients,47 eyes)or PPV+ILM peeling(stripping group:40 patients,45 eyes);a single surgeon performed all surgeries.The two groups were compared preoperatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively.RESULTS Preoperatively,both groups had comparable values of CMT,BCVA,and CME volume(P>0.05).After surgery(both 1 and 3 months),both groups showed significant reductions in CMT,BCVA,and CME volume compared to preoperative levels,with the stripping group showing more significant reductions compared to the control group(P<0.05).Further repeated-measures ANOVA analysis for within-group differences revealed significant effects of group and time,and interaction effects for CMT,BCVA,and CME volume(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications between the groups(retinal detachment:control=2,stripping=1;endophthalmitis:Control=4,stripping=1;no cases of secondary glaucoma or macular holes;χ^(2)=0.296,P=0.587).CONCLUSION PPV with ILM peeling can significantly improve the visual acuity of patients with DME,reduce CMT,and improve CME with fewer complications.

Impact of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in prevention of macular edema following cataract surgery in diabetic patients

AIM： To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic administration of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs（NSAIDs） on macular edema following cataract surgery in diabetic patients, and to compare between types of NSAIDs（ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% and nepafenac 0.1%）. METHODS： Group 1（control） received artificial tears substitute as a placebo group, group 2（nepafenac） received topical nepafenac 0.1%, and group 3（ketorolac） received topical ketorolac tromethamine 0.4%. Patients were examined postoperatively after completing one week, one month, two months and three months＇ intervals for evaluating cystoid macular edema（CME） development. The main study outcomes were achieving the best corrected visual acuity（BCVA） and change in the central macular thickness（CMT） measured with optical coherence topography（OCT）.RESULTS： Eighty eyes of 76 patients were included in this study. BCVA showed a statistically significant difference at the third month postoperative follow up between the control group and the NSAIDs groups（P=0.04）. There was an increase in the CMT in all cases starting from postoperative first week until third month. CMT showed a statistically significant difference between control group and NSAIDs groups from postoperative first month until third month（P=0.008, 0.027, 0.004）. There was no statistically significant difference between nepafenac and ketorolac groups in BCVA and OCT CMT. CONCLUSION： Prophylactic preoperative and postoperative NSAIDs may have a role in reducing the frequency and severity of CME in diabetic eyes following cataract surgery.

Long-term clinical effects of intravitreal injections of conbercept for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in patients with pathological myopia

AIM:To observe the long-term clinical efficacy of intravitreal injections of conbercept,a novel vascular growth factor inhibitor,for the treatment of pathological myopia choroidal neovascularization(PM-CNV).METHODS:A total of 67 eyes(from 67 patients;mean age,54.90±12.7y)with PM-CNV were retrospectively researched.Based on the different schemes used for the administration of the drug,the patients were divided into two groups:group A(n=35;average age,53.31±13.6y;average diopter,9.25±1.72 D),which received only one injection of pro re nata(PRN;1+PRN regimen),and group B(n=32;average age,56.49±11.8y;average diopter,9.63±2.24 D),which received one injection per month for 3mo(3+PRN regimen).Best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)analysis,intraocular pressure(IOP)examination,slit-lamp microscopy,fundus examination and optical coherence tomography were per formed at each follow-up.The recurrence and treatment times of CNV were recorded.The patients were followed up for at least 12mo.RESULTS:The BCVA was increased in 29 eyes(82.9%)in group A and 30 eyes(93.75%)in group B;no increase or decrease was observed in 6(17.1%)and 2(6.25%)eyes in groups A and B,respectively.The BCVA(log MAR)values before treatment(0.67±0.48 and 0.71±0.56)were significantly higher than those 12mo after treatment(0.31±0.26 and 0.33±0.17)in groups A and B,respectively(P<0.05).The mean central macular thickness(CMT)values had significantly decreased from 346.49±65.99 and 360.10±82.31μm at baseline to 257.29±40.47 and 251.97±48.26μm in groups A and B,respectively,after 12mo of treatment.A total of 21 eyes in group A needed reinjection(60%;average number of injections,2.51±0.98);the corresponding values in group B were 6 eyes(18.75%;average number of injections,3.74±1.22).There were no adverse ocular and systemic complications during the treatment and follow-up.CONCLUSION:Intravitreal injection of conbercept with 1+PRN or 3+PRN improve the visual acuity,reduce macular edema and reduce the level of CMT in patients with PM-CNV.The 3+PRN regimen demonstrates a lower recurrence rate of CNV than the 1+PRN regimen,but requires more treatment.However,both treatment regimens demonstrate long-term safety and efficacy for the treatment of PM-CNV.

Results of intravitreal dexamethasone implant 0.7 mg (Ozurdex^(█)) in non-infectious posterior uveitis

· AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone implant in patients with non-infectious posterior uveitis with cystoid macular edema(CME).·METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients reports with CME secondary to non-infectious uveitis treated with dexamethasone implant. Data included type of posterior uveitis, any systemic immunosuppressive therapy, Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study(ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT) on optical coherence tomography(OCT) and signs of intraocular inflammation at baseline and then at 2wk postoperatively and monthly thereafter. Follow-up is up to 10 mo. Any per-operative and post-operative complications were recorded.·RESULTS: Six eyes of 4 patients with CME due to non-infectious posterior uveitis treated with dexamethasone implant. Diagnosis included idiopathic panuveitis, birdshot chorioretinopathy and idiopathic intermediate uveitis. At baseline mean ETDRS BCVA was63 letters and mean CMT 556 μm at 2wk postoperatively mean ETDRS BCVA improved to 70 letters and mean CMT decreased to 329 μm. All eyes showed clinical evidence of decreased inflammation. The duration of effect of the implant was 5 to 6mo and retreatment was required in 2 eyes. Two patients required antiglaucoma therapy for increased intraocular pressures.·CONCLUSION: In patients with non-infectious posterior uveitis dexamethasone implant can be a short-term effective treatment option for controlling intraocular inflammation.

Intravitreal corticosteroids for diabetic macular edema:a network meta‑analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different intravitreal corticosteroids for treating diabetic macular edema(DME).Methods:Four databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials comparing different intravitreal corticosteroids for treating DME.The primary outcome was the change in best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)within 6 months after the first injection(short-term BCVA).Secondary outcomes were the change in BCVA over 1 year(long-term BCVA)and changes in central macular thickness(CMT)and intraocular pressure(IOP)within 6 months after the first injection.Network meta-analysis was performed to aggregate the results from the individual studies.Results:Nineteen trials involving 2839 eyes were included.Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(TA)injections(≥8 mg and 4-8 mg),fluocinolone acetonide(FA)implants(0.5μg/day)and dexamethasone(DEX)implants(700μg)improved short-term BCVA(mean changes in logMAR[95%confidence interval]−0.27[−0.40,−0.15];−0.12[−0.18,−0.06];−0.10[−0.21,−0.01];and−0.06[−0.11,−0.01]).Intravitreal TA injections(4 mg,multiple times),FA implants(0.5μg/day and 0.2μg/day),and DEX implants(350μg)improved long-term BCVA(mean changes in logMAR[95%confidence interval]−0.11[−0.21,−0.02];−0.09[−0.15,−0.03];−0.09[−0.14,−0.02];and−0.04[−0.07,−0.01]).All intravitreal corticosteroids reduced CMT,and different dosages of TA did not show significant differences in increasing IOP.Conclusions:Intravitreal corticosteroids effectively improved BCVA in DME patients,with higher dosages showing greater efficacies.TA was not inferior to FA or DEX and may be considered a low-cost alternative choice for DME patients.The long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroids deserve further investigation.