ObjectiveTo study changes in choroidal thickness(CT) with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab treatment. MethodsThis is a prospective, uncontrolled, open-label study. A total of 31 eyes of 31 patients diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and 33 eyes of 33 patients diagnosed with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia (PM) were included in the study. All affected eyes were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab 0.05 ml (10 mg/ml) and followed up monthly until 6 months. Enhanced depth imaging on Cirrus spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure the CT. The initial CT was compared with the data at 1, 3 and 6 month after treatment, and the correlation between of the decrease of CT at the 6 month and the number of injection times was analyzed. ResultsIn AMD group, the average CT respectively decreased by (9.68±11.02), (12.58±11.04), (13.84±11.67)μm at 1, 3 and 6 month, and the differences were significant(t=4.89, 6.34, 6.60;P < 0.001). In PM group, the average CT respectively decreased by (2.06±10.92), (3.64±8.78), (3.27±7.20)μm at 1, 3 and 6 month. The difference at 1 month was not significant (t=1.08, P=0.287). While after 3 months and 6 months, the differences were significant(t=2.38, 2.61;P=0.024, 0.014). The injection times were not correlated with the CT decreases at 6 month in both groups(r=0.04, 0.30;P=0.815, 0.099). ConclusionIntravitreal injections of ranibizumab can induce choroidal thickness reduction for wet age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia.
To observe the efficacy of intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) combined with panretinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) combined with stage I and II neovascular glaucoma (NVG).MethodsA clinical case-control study. From October 2013 to March 2019, 50 eyes (50 patients) with DR and stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ NVG diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology, Peoples's Hospital of Xianghe were were included in the study. There were 27 eyes (27 males) and 23 eyes (23 females); all patients were monocular with the average age of 53.5±7.13 years old. Stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ NVG were 11 and 39 eyes, respectively. All patients underwent BCVA, intraocular pressure, and fundus angiography. The BCVA examination adopted the international standard visual acuity chart, which was converted to logMAR BCVA visual acuity in statistics. The patients were divided into the Conbercept+laser therapy (combination therapy) group and the laser therapy group by random number table, with 25 eyes. The age of the two groups of patients (t=0.058), gender composition ratio (χ2=0.081), logMAR BCVA (t=0.294), intraocular pressure (t=-0.070), the number of eyes with different grades of angle and iris neovascularization(χ2=1.683, 0.854)were compared, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The changes of BCVA, intraocular pressure, iris neovascularization, and angular neovascularization were compared and observed between the two groups one week after the completion of PRP treatment, 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. Independent sample t test was used for continuous variables. Between the combination treatment group and the laser treatment group, at different time points within the two groups and the interaction of the two factors, a single-factor repeated analysis of variance was used.ResultsCompared with the results before treatment, the combined treatment group and laser treatment group had statistically significant differences in the number of angle and iris neovascularization, intraocular pressure and logMAR BCVA at different times after treatment in the combined treatment group and laser treatment group (F=124.211, 65.153, 69.249, 26.848; P<0.001). After treatment, the combined treatment group was better than the laser treatment group in terms of the regression of eye angle and iris neovascularization, intraocular pressure and logMAR BCVA, and the difference was statistically significant (F=47.543, 25.051, 12.265, 9.994; P=0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.003). At different times after treatment, compared with the laser treatment group, the number of neovascularization in the iris and angle of the eye in the combined treatment group was less, the intraocular pressure was significantly decreased, and the BCVA was increased. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionThe efficacy of Kang IVC combined with PRP in the treatment of DR with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ NVG is better than that of PRP alone.
At present, intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents is the main method for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), which can significantly inhibit neovascularization, release macular edema and improve the vision of patients. However, VEGF is a survival factor of vascular endothelial cells, whether it can lead to the progress of retinal ischemia and it has an effect on retinal capillaries deserves our clinical attention. Most scholars currently think that the anti-VEGF agents will not aggravate the occlusion of retinal capillaries in the treatment of macular edema secondary to RVO from the aspects of the changes of perifoveal capillary arcade, the quantification of foveal avascular zone area, retinal nonperfusion area and retinal vascular density of the superficial and deep capillary plexus In addition, the changes of these indicators may be related to the number of times patients need treatment, visual prognosis and so on. In the future, with the gradual popularization of OCT angiography and the prolongation of the number and time of anti VEGF drug treatment, we look forward to the study of larger samples and longer follow-up time to further analyze the influence of the retinal capillary after anti-VEGF therapy in patients with macular edema associated with RVO.
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 efficacy and safety of vitrectomy combined with submacular injection of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), gas filling and anti-VEGF drugs (multiple therapy) for thick submacular hemorrhage.MethodsA retrospective case study. From January 2014 to June 2018, 24 patients (24 eyes) with thick submacular hemorrhage who received multiple therapy at the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University Third Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 15 males and 9 females with the average age of 69.05±8.86 years. The average submacular bleeding time was 17.15±10.30 days, the average bleeding area was 13.85±8.63 DD. Seventeen eyes showed hemorrhagic RPE detachment. The international standard visual acuity chart was used to BCVA examination, which was converted to logMAR visual acuity in statistics. The frequency domain OCT was used to measure the height of the foveal elevation. The average logMAR BCVA of the affected eye was 1.37±0.38. The average height of the macular fovea was 824.94±294.38 μm. All eyes underwent 23G or 25G vitrectomy. During the operation, 0.1-0.5 ml t-PA (10 μg/0.1 ml) was injected under the macula. The vitreous cavity was filled with 15% C3F8 after gas-liquid exchange in 13 eyes, and 11 eyes were filled with sterilized air. Eleven eyes were injected with anti-VEGF drugs at the end of the operation, and anti-VEGF drugs were given PRN treatment according to the activity of the lesion. The average follow-up time after treatment was 27.90±22.21 months. The absorption of bleeding under the macula, the improvement of vision, the occurrence of rebleeding and treatment-related complications were observed and recorded. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was performed to compare the BCVA and the height of foveal elevation before and after treatment.ResultsOne month after the treatment, the blood in the fovea of all affected eyes was cleared. At the last follow-up, the logMAR BCVA and macular foveal elevation were 0.82±0.28 and 253.88±71.75 μm, respectively. Compared with those before treatment, the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.727, -3.234; P<0.001, <0.001). The average intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs was 1.08 times. During the operation, a tiny hole was formed in the center of the macula when t-PA was injected under the retina. Two eyes showed mild vitreous hemorrhage early after the operation. During the follow-up period, bleeding recurred in 2 eyes.ConclusionsVitrectomy combined with submacular injection of t-PA, gas filling, and anti-VEGF drugs is an optimal combination for the treatment of thick submacular hemorrhage. It can effectively remove submacular hemorrhage, improve vision, reduce foveal elevation with good safety.
Diabetic macular ischemia (DMI) is one of the manifestation of diabetic retinopathy (DR). It could be associated with diabetic macular edema (DME), which may affect the vision of DR patients. FFA is the gold standard for the diagnosis of DMI, but with the advent of OCT angiography, a more convenient and diversified method for the evaluation of DMI has been developed, which makes more and more researchers start to study DMI. Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF has become the preferred treatment for DME. When treating with DME patients, ophthalmologists usually avoid DMI patients. But if intravitreal anti-VEGF should be the contradiction of DME is still unclear. To provide references to the research, this article summarized the risk factors, assessment methods and influence of DMI. This article also analyzed the existing studies, aiming to offer evidences to a more reasonable and effective treatment decision for DME individual.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) combined with vitrectomy in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). MethodsThis is a prospective non-randomized controlled clinical study. A total of 62 patients (70 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy for PDR were enrolled and divided into IVR group (30 patients, 34 eyes) and control group (32 patients, 36 eyes).IVR group patients received an intravitreal injection of 0.05 ml ranibizumab solution (10 mg/ml) 3 or 5 days before surgery. The follow-up time was 3 to 18 months with an average of (4.5±1.8) months. The surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, iatrogenic retinal breaks, use of silicone oil, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the incidence of postoperative complications were comparatively analyzed. ResultsThe difference of mean surgical time (t=6.136) and the number of endodiathermy during vitrectomy (t=6.128) between IVR group and control group was statistically significant (P=0.000, 0.036). The number of iatrogenic retinal break in IVR group is 8.8% and control group is 27.8%, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.154, P=0.032). Use of silicone oil of IVR group is 14.7% and control group is 38.9%, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.171, P=0.023). The incidence of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in 3 month after surgery was 11.8% and 30.6% respectively in IVR group and control group. The differences were statistically significant (χ2=3.932, P=0.047). The 6 month postoperative mean BCVA of IVR group and control group have all improved than their preoperative BCVA, the difference was statistically significant (t=4.414, 8.234; P=0.000).But there was no difference between the mean postoperative BCVA of two groups (t=0.111, P=0.190). There was no topical and systemic adverse reactions associated with the drug after injection in IVR group. ConclusionsMicroincision vitreoretinal surgery assisted by IVR for PDR shorten surgical time, reduces the intraoperative bleeding and iatrogenic retinal breaks, reduces the use of silicon oil and the postoperative recurrent vitreous hemorrhage. But there was no significant relationship between vision improvement and IVR.
ObjectiveTo observe the concentration of the inflammatory cytokines in vitreous of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) after intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR). MethodsA total of 80 PDR patients (80 eyes) were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into vitrectomy group (group A) and IVR combined with vitrectomy group (group B), 40 eyes in each group. The differences of sex (χ2=0.05), age (t=0.59), duration of diabetes (t=0.36), HbA1c (t=0.13) and intraocular pressure (F=0.81) between two groups were not significant (P>0.05). The eyes in group B received 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) ranibizumab injection at 7 days before operation. The vitreous samples (0.4 ml) were obtained before operation. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. ResultsThe concentration of VEGF and ICAM-1 were (10.70±3.60), (224.64±90.32) pg/L in group B and (72.38±23.59), (665.61±203.34) pg/L in group A. The differences of VEGF and ICAM-1 concentration between two groups was significant (t=16.34, 12.53; P<0.001). The concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 were (210.64±80.27), (156.00±57.74) pg/L in group B and (45.78±33.82), (41.07±13.82) pg/L in group A. The differences of IL-6 and IL-8 concentration between two groups was significant (t=11.97, 12.24; P<0.001). There was no difference of CTGF concentration between two groups (t=1.39, P=0.17). The CTGF/VEGF in group B was higher than that in group A (t=14.75, P<0.001). ConclusionsOne week after IVR, the concentration of VEGF and ICAM-1 are decreased, while IL-6 and IL-8 increased. There is no obvious change in CTGF, but CTGF/VEGF is increased.
Pharmaceutical therapy, including anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment and intravitreal corticosteroids, is the most common treatment for branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and its complications, however there are confusing ideas about the protocol, patient selection, timing and endpoint of this treatment. The disease is easy to relapse with these drugs therapy. Collateral vessel formation was found in patients receiving intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or triamcinolone for BRVO and secondary macular edema. The mechanism of collateral vessel formation has not been carefully investigated. In the past thrombolysis, arteriovenous fasciostomy and laser choroidal retinal vascular anastomosis were used to reconstruct the retinal circulation, but their rationality, effectiveness and safety need to be further were studied. In recent years, because of the key technology is still immature, the artificial vascular bypass surgery experiment is not yet practical, but provides us a new idea worth looking forward to for the treatment of BRVO.
Objective To observe the effects of intravitreal injection of conbercept for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP). Methods It is a retrospective case study. Twenty-one patients (40 eyes) with AP-ROP were enrolled in this study. There were 9 males (18 eyes) and 12 females (22 eyes), with the mean gestational age of (28.30±1.79) weeks and the mean birth weight of (1 021.40±316.70) g. All the lesions of 40 eyes were located in posterior zone, with 24 eyes in zone I and 16 eyes in zone II. All the eyes were treated with intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.025 ml (0.25 mg). During follow-up, nonresponders or patients with deterioration were retreated with intravitreal injection of conbercept or photocoagulation; patients with progressive deterioration to stage 4 had received vitrectomy. At the 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 weeks after treatments, the disappearance or decrease of retinal vessel tortuosity and neovascularization, and the growth of the normal retinal vessels toward the peripheral retina were evaluated. Results Thirty-six eyes were cured for only one injection, the cured rate was 90.00%. However, 2 eyes (5.00%) had progressed to stage 4 with contractive retinal detachment, which underwent vitrectomy. Two eyes (5.00%) had received twice injections, whose remaining avascular zone area treated by photocoagulation. No major systemic or ocular complications after injection appeared. All lens remained transparent and no iatrogenic retinal hole was occurred during the follow-up. Conclusion Intravitreal injection of conbercept is effective in the treatment of AP-ROP.