ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of adjuvant intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for advanced Coats disease. MethodsThis study is a retrospective case series study. Fourteen patients (14 eyes), presenting Coats Stages 3B and 4 (8 and 6 eyes, respectively) were enrolled. All the patients were treated with adjuvant intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. The intravitreal anti-VEGF injections varied from 1 to 7, with a median injections of 2.14. In 14 eyes, combined therapy was subretinal fluid drainage in 4 eyes, photocoagulation in 2 eyes, vitrectomy in 8 eyes. The follow-up period was ranged from 4 to 36 months, with a median follow-up of 18.8 months. Visual acuity and retinal reattachment were observed in follow up. ResultsAt last follow up, global suvival was 100.0% with no enucleation performed in any patient because of disease progression. Except for 2 children who were unable to cope with the visual acuity test, visual acuity was improved in 2 patients, stable in 8 patients, and decreased in 2 patients. 5 patients (35.7%) achieved in complete retinal reattachment, 3 patients (21.4%) were succeed in partial retinal reattachment, and the remain 6 patients(42.8%) failed in retinal reattachment. Two patients developed cataract after vitrectomy, and no other adverse reaction was observed during follow-up. ConclusionAnti-VEGF therapy combined with classic treatments in advanced Coats disease can keep or impove the visual acuity in most patients by reducing of subretinal exudation.
Anti-VEGF therapies have been widely used in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion with macular edema and other retinal diseases. It have achieved remarkable treatment effect with relatively high safety, but there are still reports of adverse reactions in cardio-cerebral vessels and eyes. There are many methods to measure retinal blood flow. Although the principles of these methods are different, the results are different, and there is no uniform standard, it has been observed that anti-VEGF drugs may cause some changes in retinal vessel diameter, arterial blood flow velocity and blood flow parameters. Especially after multiple injections, the effect may be more obvious.
In the expert consensus published by the Pediatrics in 2013, it was first proposed that anti-VEGF drugs can be considered for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with stage 3, zone Ⅰ with plus disease. However, there are many problems worth the attention of ophthalmologists, including the advantages and disadvantages of anti-VEGF therapy compared with traditional laser therapy, systemic and ocular complications after anti-VEGF therapy, and what indicators are the end points of anti-VEGF therapy. Combined with this consensus and numerous research findings, we recommend that the first treatment for anti-VEGF or laser therapy should be considered from disease control effects. For the threshold and pre-threshold lesions, the effect of anti-VEGF therapy for zoneⅡ lesions is better than that for zone Ⅰ lesions and the single-time effective rate is high. So, it is suggested that anti-VEGF therapy should be preferred for the first treatment. The choice of repeat treatment should be considered from the final retinal structure and functional prognosis. Laser therapy is advisable for the abnormal vascular regression slower and abnormalities in the posterior pole. It can reduce the number of reexaminations and prolong the interval between re-examinations. However, the premature use of laser has an inevitable effect on peripheral vision field. Excluding the above problems, supplemental therapy can still choose anti-VEGF therapy again. Most of the children with twice anti-VEGF therapy are sufficient to control the disease. Anti-VEGF therapy should be terminated when there are signs such as plus regression, threshold or pre-threshold lesions controlled without recurrence, peripheral vascularization, etc.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major and irreversible blinding eye disease in working aged adults. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a complication of the further development of DR, and it is one of the main causes of vision loss in DR patients. The emergence of anti-VEGF drugs has changed the treatment model of DR and DME. Firstly, for the treatment of DME, the previous focal/grid-like laser photocoagulation is converted to anti-VEGF drugs as the first-line treatment. Secondly, for the treatment of proliferative DR (PDR), panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was the gold standard in the past, and now anti-VEGF drugs have become an alternative treatment for some PDR patients. In varying degrees of DR and DME, the option of treatment, anti-VEGF drug therapy replacing PRP, and the era of anti-VEGF drug therapy on DR treatment modes are worthy questions for consideration by clinicians. In-depth study of the clinical study of PRP and anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of DR, the changes attention in clinical guidelines and expert consensus, the gradual establishment of treatment of DR and DME suitable, and the personalized treatment of DR patients may help improve the level of DR treatment in China.
ObjectiveTo study the long-term effects and outcomes of adjuvant intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) therapy in juvenile Coats disease. MethodsA retrospective case series study. From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018, 40 patients (40 eyes) who were diagnosed as juvenile Coats disease at Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University were included in the study. Among them, there were 37 males (37 eyes) and 3 females (3 eyes). All patients had unilateral Coats disease. The average age was 55.00 (44.75, 81.25) months. Five eyes were in stage 2B, 15 eyes were in stage 3A, 19 eyes were in stage 3B and 1 eye was in stage 4. Idiopathic retinal vascular telangiectasia associated with extensive subretinal fluid (SRF) (stage 3 or above) or massive foveal exudation and edema (stage 2B) were found in fundus examination. All affected eyes underwent wide-field color fundus images and fluorescein fundus angiography. Thirty-one eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) examination. The BCVA was carried out using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, which was converted into the logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity. All cases received adjuvant IVC combined with treatments such as retinal photocoagulation. The average number of injections was 4 (1, 5). The average follow-up after initial treatment was 59.00 (52.50, 63.00) months. The changes in BCVA, occlusion of abnormal blood vessels in fundus, absorption of SRF and ocular and systemic complications were observed. ResultsAt last follow-up, among 31 affected eyes with the examination of BCVA, 13 (32.5%, 13/40) eyes had an improved vision, 12 eyes(30.0%, 12/40) had a stable vision and 6 eyes (15.0%, 6/40) had a decreased vision. The difference between average logMAR BCVA of the affected eyes in each stage after treatment and that before treatment was not statistically significant (Z=－0.56, －1.80, －0.84; P＞0.05). Abnormal blood vessels in fundus were all partially or completely occluded, and SRF was obviously or completely absorbed in all cases; of which, 28 eyes (70.0%, 28/40) were completely occluded, and 12 eyes (30.0%, 12/40) were partially occluded. No patient underwent eye enucleation. Nineteen eyes (47.5%, 19/40) developed vitreoretinal fibrosis; 8 eyes (20.0%, 8/40) developed tractional retinal detachment; 15 eyes (37.5%, 15/40) developed complicated cataract. None had ocular or systemic complications related to IVC therapy during follow-up. ConclusionsIVC combined with classic treatments such as photocoagulation in juvenile Coats disease can keep or improve the visual acuity in most juvenile patients by reducing SRF. IVC is a long-term safe and effective adjuvant therapy in juvenile Coats disease.
Objective To observe the inhibitory effects and characteristics of intravitreal injection with bevacizumab on laser induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV).Methods Twelve male brown norway（BN）rats were divided into the bevacizumab group and control group with six rats in each group. One eye of rats were received a series of 8 diode laser esions around optic disc to induce CNV,then the rats in bevacizumab group and control group underwent intravitreal injection with 2 mu;l bevacizumab and ringer's lactate.On days 7,14,and 21，the morphology and leakage of CNV were observed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).On day 21 after photocoagulation,the photocoagulated eyes were enucleated and processed for histopathologic examination, including hematoxylin and eosin (Hamp;E) staining and immunohistochemistry staining for vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）.Results On day 7 after photocoagulation,ICGA showed that CNV developed in the bevacizumab group and the control group. FFA showed that leakage intensity in the bevacizumab group was significantly lower than that in the control group，but the bevacizumab group gradually increased over time. The mean thickness of CNV significantly decreased in the bevacizumab group.The CNV in the bevacizumab group were negative for VEGF according to the result of immmuohistochemistry staining.Conclusions Early intravitreal injection with 2 mu;l bevacizumab can reduce the thickness of CNV and inhibit the leakage of CNV. However, bevacizumab could neither block the formation of CNV, nor suppress the permeability permanently. Combined other therapies with bevacizumab may be more potential to treat CNV effectively.
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.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of repeated intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs on vitreous macular interface (VMI) in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsRetrospective study. Thirty-four exudative AMD patients who treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs were included in this study. There were 26 males and 8 females. The age ranged from 50 to 80 years, with the average of (62.8±8.35) years. The eyes with at least 6 treatments during the 1-year follow-up were taken as the study eyes, and the eyes with no anti-VEGF drug treatment were the control eyes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination was used to observe the VMI status of both eyes before treatment. Vitreous macular adhesion (VMA), macular epiretinal membrane (MEM), and complete vitreous detachment (C-PVD) were defined as abnormalities in VMI. The VMA was classified as focal (≤1500 μm) and broad (＞1500 μm) depending on the diameter of the vitreous and macular adhesions on the OCT images. Before treatment, there were 12 eyes with abnormal VMI in study eyes, including 8 eyes with broad VMA, 3 eyes with focal VMA, and 1 eye with MEM; 12 eyes with abnormal VMI in control eyes: broad VMA in 7 eyes, focal VMA in 2 eyes, C-PVD in 2 eyes, and MEM in 1 eye. The average follow-up time after treatment was 16.4 months. During the follow-up period, OCT was performed monthly in a follow-up mode. Comparing the changes on VMI between before and after treatment in both eyes of patients, respectively. The chi-square test was used to compare the difference on VMI. Because the number of samples was ＜40, Fisher's exact test was used for the analysis.ResultsAt the final follow-up, 12 eyes with abnormal VMI in the study eyes, including 5 eyes with broad VMA, 2 eyes with focal VMA, 3 eyes with C-PVD, and 2 eyes with MEM. There were 6 eyes altered comparing with baseline. In the control eyes, there were 13 eyes with abnormal VMI, including 5 eyes with broad VMA, 7 eyes with C-PVD, and 1 eye with MEM. A total of 6 eyes changed on VMI comparing with baseline. At the final follow-up, there was no significant difference on VMI changes between the study eyes and its corresponding control eyes (P=0.053). In all eyes, a total of 4 eyes changed from focal VMA to C-PVD at the final follow-up, accounting for 80.0% of the total focal VMA; 3 eyes changed from broad VMA to C-PVD, accounting for 21.4% of the total broad VMA.ConclusionsRepeated anti-VEGF treatment has little effect on VMI. Regardless of anti-VEGF therapy, eyes with focal VMA appears to be more prone to C-PVD than the broad one.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab therapy for serous pigment epithelial detachment (sPED) secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration(eAMD). MethodsTwenty-three eyes from 23 patients of eAMD with sPED were enrolled in this study. The best corrected visual acuity, ocular coherence tomography (OCT), maximum PED height from baseline, volume of PED and central fovea thickness(CFT)were collected monthly for these patients. And the patients were receiced intravitreal injection with ranibizumab of 0.5 mg of three consecutive monthly injections. ResultsNo complications were observed during the study period. After 6 months follow-up, 17 eyes improved, 4 eyes unchanged and only 2 eye decreased. The best corrected visual acuity was from 0.77±0.39 up to 0.61±0.27(t=2.601, P < 0.05). It was observed by OCT that the PED height was decreased from (357.2±171.9)μm (before treatment) to (247.7±171.7)μm (after treatment) (t=3.192, P < 0.05) and the volume of PED was decreased from(0.741±1.012) mm3 to (0.337±0.498) mm3 (t=2.502, P < 0.05). The central foveal thickness was decreased from (317.9±73.8)μm to (302.5±89.3)μm, but the difference were no statistically significantly (t=0.887, P > 0.05). ConclusionRanibizumab may be an effective treatment for improving vision and reducing the degree of PED in eAMD patients.
Objective To explore the inhibitory effects of r-k4k5 on retinal neovascularization. Methods Eighty-eight one-week-old C57BL/6J mice were put into the environment with 75% oxygen for 5 days to establish models of vascular proliferation retinopathy. One eye of each mouse received an intravitreal injection of 500 ng of r-k4k5 (large-dosage group) and of 250 ng of r-k4k5(small-dosage group), and the same volume of BSS was injected into the other eye of the mice both in these two groups as a control. The ADPase histochemical staining was used for retinal flatmount to observe changes of retinal vessels. The inhibitory effects of r-k4k5 on retinal neovascularization were evaluated by counting the endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels extending from retina to vitreous in the tissue-slice. Results Regular distributions and reduced density of retinal blood vessels in eyes in the treatment group were found in retinal flatmount. The number of the endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels extending from retina to vitreous was less in the eyes in the treatment group than which in control group (Plt;0.001). The nuclei of new blood vessels in the large-dosage group were less than which in small-dosage group (Plt;0.001). No histologic evidence of retinal toxicity or inflammatory response was found in the tissue-slice after the injection of r-k4k5. Conclusions Retinal neovascularization can be inhibited by intravitreal injection of r-k4k5,which suggests that intravitreal injection of r-k4k5 may have potential therapeutic benifits in retinal vascular disease. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：121-124)