ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the correlation between the changes of macular microvascular structure and the level of intracocular fluid cytokines in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). MethodsA prospective clinical study. From December 2022 to June 2024, 20 patients with 25 eyes of DME diagnosed by Department of Ophthalmology of Linyi People's Hospital were included in the study. Among them, 14 males had 17 eyes and 6 females had 8 eyes. Age was (55.08±10.34) years. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) were used to scan the macular region at a range of 6 mm×6 mm. Central retinal thickness (CRT), blood flow density of superficial retinal capillary plexus (SCP) and area of fovea avascular zone (FAZ) were measured. The anterior aqueous humor was extracted before the first intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the concentrations of interleukin (IL-6), IL-8, VEGF, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), placental growth factor (PLGF) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were detected. The correlation between macular microvascular structure and aqueous humor cytokines was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsThe CRT of the affected eyes was (617.40±167.64) μm, the SCP flow density was (39.56±1.55)%, and the FAZ area was (0.46±0.13) mm2. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, VCAM, PLGF and MCP-1 in aqueous humor were (301.36±690.52), (29.15±20.56), (71.37±29.32) and (5 621.22±7 241.06), (72.40±13.43), (464.07±163.26) pg/ml, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between CRT and the concentrations of aqueous cytokines VEGF and PLGF (r=0.460, 0.462, P＜0.05). FAZ area was positively correlated with VEGF and MCP-1 concentrations (r=0.414, 0.465; P＜0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between SCP blood flow density and IL-6 (r=0.401, P＜0.05). ConclusionThere was a significant correlation between the morphological structure of macular area and the damage degree of microvessels around macular area in DME patients and the concentration of aqueous cytokines.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical and multimodal imaging features of eyes with acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MethodsA retrospective study. From December 20, 2022 to January 17, 2023, a total of 29 patients (58 eyes) with COVID-19-associated AMN admitted to Department of Ophthalmology of Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College were included in the study. All the affected eyes underwent the best corrected visual acuity, color fundus photography, infrared fundus photography (IR), short-wavelength autofluorescence (SW-AF), near-infrared autofluorescence (NIL-AF), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). All patients were administered microcirculation-improving oral medication with 12 cases receiving adjunctive low-dose corticosteroid therapy. Follow-ups were conducted 1 to 3 months after the initial diagnosis, with a total of 19 cases (38 eyes) completing the one-month follow-up. ResultsOut of the 29 cases, there were 9 males (18 eyes) and 20 females (40 eyes), all of whom experienced bilateral eye involvement. The age of the patients ranged from 12 to 47 years, with an average age of (29.9±9.5) years. The time from the onset of fever to the appearance of ocular symptoms was (2.52±2.01) days. Among the 58 affected eyes, there were 5 cases with retinal cotton wool spots, 2 cases with optic disc edema, and 1 case with parafoveal branch retinal vein occlusion. All affected eyes exhibited deep reddish-brown macular dark spots. IR revealed wedge-shaped, wedge-like, or "petaloid-like" dark areas involving the fovea and parafovea. SW-AF examination showed no obvious abnormality in 39 eyes. Weak autofluorescence dark area were consistent with IR in 19 eyes. NIR-AF examination showed spot-like or flaky self-fluorescent dark areas. OCT examination showed strong reflex lesions spreading vertically upward from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer in the macular area in the acute stage, showing typical "bean seedling" sign. OCTA revealed reduced blood flow density in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) of 50 eyes. En-face OCT displayed lesion areas that corresponded to the dark areas seen in IR. One month after the initial diagnosis, the condition improved in 18 eyes (47.4%, 18/38). Among the 5 eyes with cotton wool spots, regression of these spots was accompanied by loss of nerve fiber layer in 4 eyes. In cases with optic disc edema, the edema subsided. The "bean sprout" sign disappeared in all affected eyes, and the lesions became localized. The ellipsoid zone and/or interdigitation zone in the lesion areas were discontinuous. ConclusionsCOVID-19-related AMN is characterized by distinctive features. IR fundus reveals wedge-shaped, wedge-like, or petaloid dark areas involving the fovea and parafovea. OCT displays strongly reflective lesions with vertical spread above the RPE. OCTA shows reduced blood flow density in the DCP of the retina.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the effect of peripore cavity size on visual function of macular area before and after surgery for idiopathic macular hole (IMH). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From July 2020 to February 2021, a total of 25 patients with 25 eyes with monocular IMH (operation group) diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Department of ophthalmology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were included in the study. The control group was contralateral healthy eyes. All subjects were examined by best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microfield of vision, frequency domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). The diameter of macular hole was measured by SD-OCT. The cystic morphology of deep capillary plexus (DCP) was detected by en face OCT, and the cystic area was measured by Image J software. MP-3 microperimeter was used to measure central macular retinal light sensitivity (MS) and mean macular retinal light sensitivity (MMS). Central macular retinal light sensitivity (CMS), MMS and cystic cavity MS were measured in the operation group. MMS was measured in the control group. The microperimetry images were superimposed on the DCP layer of OCTA to identify and calculate the average MS within the lumen and compare it with the control group. Standard three incisions were performed in all affected eyes by vitrectomy of the flat part of the ciliary body + stripping of the inner boundary membrane + intraocular sterile air filling. Three months after the operation, the same equipment and methods were used to perform relevant examinations. Paired sample t test was used to compare MS between operation group and control group. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between capsular area, macular hole diameter before and after operation and MS before and after operation. The correlation between BCVA and capsular area before and after surgery was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsIn the surgical group, the retinal MS was (4.24±3.07) dB. The MMS of control group was (19.08±6.11) dB. The MS in the surgical group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=10.832, P＜0.01). Before operation, the area of cyst was (1.04±0.55) mm2, and the diameter of macular hole was (564.80±166.59) μm. CMS and MMS were (2.27±2.29) dB and (9.08±3.65) dB, respectively. The diameter of macular hole (r=0.50, P=0.010) and BCVA before operation (r=0.57, P＜0.001) were positively correlated with peripore cavity area. Before operation, CMS and MMS were negatively correlated with peripore cavity area (r=－0.53, －0.47; P=0.010, 0.020). At 3 months after surgery, the capsular area was negatively correlated with CMS and MMS (r=－0.65,－0.76; P=0.020, 0.030). There was no correlation with BCVA (r=0.23, P=0.470). ConclusionsRetinal MS is decreased in the peri-capsular area of IMH pore. There is a positive correlation between capsule area, BCVA and macular hole diameter before operation. The capsular area is negatively correlated with CMS and MMS before operation.
ObjectiveTo observe alterations of macular outer retinal reflectivity (ORR) and the associations with macular vessel density in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study. From August 2021 to March 2022, a total of 63 NPDR patients with 63 eyes (NPDR group) diagnosed by Department of Ophthalmology of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were included in the study. There were 39 males with 39 eyes and 24 females with 24 eyes. Age was 60 (52, 68) years. A total of 66 eyes of 66 healthy volunteers matching age and sex were selected as the control group. Among them, 40 men had 40 eyes and 26 women had 26 eyes. Age was 58 (52, 67) years. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) were performed in all affected eyes. Image J software was used to calculate ORR, including the optical density of ellipsoid zone (EZ), photoreceptor outer segment (OS), photoreceptor inner segment (IS) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) by OCT examination. The sampling sites were horizontal and vertical scanning of the fovea of the macula on 500 μm (nasal500, temporal500, superior500, inferior500), 1 000 μm (nasal1 000, temporal1 000, superior1 000, inferior1 000) and 2 000 μm (nasal2 000, temporal2 000, superior2 000, inferior2 000). The software automatically divided the retina within 6 mm of the macular fovea into the fovea with a diameter of 1 mm, the parafovea with a diameter of 1-3 mm, and the perifovea with a diameter of 3-6 mm by macular OCTA examination. The blood density of superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus in different zones in the macular area were measured by the built-in software of the device. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between ORR and blood flow density. ResultsCompared with the control group, retinal reflectivity of EZ in NPDR group was significantly decreased at other sites except the fovea, retinal reflectivity of OS was significantly decreased at nasal2 000, temporal2 000, superior2 000 and superior1 000; retinal reflectivity of IS was significantly decreased at superior1 000, superior500 and inferior500. The retinal reflectivity of ONL in macular fovea was significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The ORR was positively correlated with blood flow density, and the correlation coefficient in NPDR group was lower than that in control group. The results of multifactor linear regression analysis showed that the superior and temporal ORR were correlated with blood flow density (P＜0.05). ConclusionsCompared with the control group, ORR is reduced and less correlated with vessel density in NPDR patients. ORR is more affected by retinal blood flow density in temporal and superior parts.
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is one of the representative pachychoroid spectrum disease. Although fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography can be used as the gold standard for the diagnosis of CSC, they are invasive examinations, which may bring certain risks in clinical application and cannot help us obtain quantitative parameters. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), as a non-invasive and quantitative examination, is an important imaging tool for understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of CSC. With the advancement of OCTA, the swept-source OCTA has a satisfying scanning depth, a wider scanning range and a higher resolution. The development of OCTA broadens the horizons of the pathogenesis of CSC, promotes the understanding of the pathophysiology of CSC, and sheds new light for its clinical diagnosis and treatment. Based on OCTA, the choroid and retina in eyes with CSC are presented with qualitative and quantitative changes in vascular system. OCTA-guided CSC treatment and the discovery of prognostic markers based on OCTA challenge the application of traditional imaging techniques in CSC. With the continuous improvement and progress of OCTA technology, traditional angiography combined with OCTA will bring great benefits to the diagnosis and treatment of CSC. This review summarizes the quantitative application of OCTA in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of CSC.
ObjectiveTo observe the changes of macular structure and microvessels in eyes with diabetes macular ischemia (DMI). MethodsA retrospective case study. From January 2023 to July 2023, 23 patients of 31 eyes diagnosed with DMI at Tangshan Ophthalmological Hospital were included in this study. Among them, there were 14 males with 23 eyes; Female cases with 8 eyes. Age were (59.5±4.6) years old. According to the DMI grading standard formulated by the research group for early treatment of diabetes retinopathy, the patients were divided into mild DMI group, moderate DMI group, and severe DMI group, with 8, 12, and 11 eyes respectively. The blood flow density (VD), perfusion area (FA), small vessel VD (SVD), inner retinal capillary plexus VD, FA, and outer retinal, choroidal, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness within 1 mm of the macular fovea in retinal superficial vascular plexus (SVP)were measured using a scanning frequency light source optical coherence tomography instrument. The changes in macular structure and microvasculature in the affected eyes of different degrees of DMI groups were compared and observed. Inter group comparisons were conducted using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis H-test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DMI severity and GCC, outer retina, choroid thickness, VD, FA and SVP VD, SVD and FA in inner retina. ResultsThe GCC (F=70.670), outer retinal thickness (H=12.393), VD (F=105.506), SVD (H=25.300), FA (F=107.655), and VD (H=24.098) and FA (H=25.300) of the retinal SVP in the mild, moderate, and severe DMI groups were compared, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in choroidal thickness (H=2.441, P＞0.05). Pairwise comparison between groups: VD, SVD, FA of GCC thickness and SVP, and VD of inner retina were statistically significant between severe DMI group and moderate DMI group, and between moderate DMI group and mild DMI group (P＜0.05). The thickness of outer retina was statistically significant between severe DMI group and moderate DMI group (P＜0.05). Inner retinal FA: there were statistically significant differences between severe DMI group, moderate DMI group and mild DMI group (P＜0.05). The correlation analysis results showed that GCC (rs=－0.918), outer retinal thickness (rs=－0.448), and inner retinal VD (rs=－0.894) and FA (rs=－0.918), as well as VD (rs=－0.919), SVD (rs=－0.924), and FA (rs=－0.939) of retinal SVP, were all negatively correlated with the degree of DMI (P＜0.05). There was no correlation between choroidal thickness and degree of DMI (rs=－0.081, P＞0.05). ConclusionThe thickness of GCC, outer retina and choroid, the VD, SVD, and FA of the retinal SVP, the VD and FA of inner retina are all reduced in eyes with different degrees of DMI, while all of them are negatively correlated with the degree of DMI, except for choroid thickness.
ObjectiveTo observe changes in peripapillary blood flow before and after combined treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs and Dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). MethodsA prospective clinical study. Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients with newly diagnosed non-ischemic CRVO and macular edema (ME) were enrolled from Shanxi Eye Hospital between April 2023 and April 2024. All patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) examinations. The treatment regimen consisted of three intravitreal injections of ranibizumab and one DEX implant. SS-OCTA was used to scan a 3 mm×3 mm area centered on the optic disc to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and blood flow density in the superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep vascular complex (DVC), and radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC). Changes in SVC, DVC, and RPC blood flow density and RNFL thickness were evaluated at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess normality, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was applied for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with before treatment, the blood flow density changes of SVC and RPC showed a downward trend at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Among them, the difference was statistically significant at 6 months after treatment (Z=?2.592, ?2.070, P=0.012, 0.042), while there was no statistically significant difference at 3 months after treatment (P＞0.05). The blood flow density of DVC showed an upward trend at 3 and 6 months after treatment, but the differences were not statistically significant (P＞0.05). The results of the correlation analysis showed that the thickness of RNFL was negatively correlated with the blood flow density of DVC (r=?0.768, P＜0.001). It was positively correlated with the blood flow densities of SVC and RPC (r=0.288, 0.398; P=0.040, 0.004). ConclusionAnti-VEGF drugs combined with DEX treatment can significantly improve the perioptic disc blood flow distribution in eyes with CRVO, manifested as a decrease in blood flow density of SVC and RPC, while a compensatory increase in blood flow of DVC. The thickness variation of RNFL is closely related to the blood flow density of different vascular layers.
Objective To observe the signal intensity and homogeneity of subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and preliminarily analyze its relationship with macular neovascularization (MNV) morphology. MethodsA prospective cross-sectional observational study. Forty-six eyes of 46 nAMD patients with SHRM who initially visited Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 were enrolled. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination was performed according to a standardized protocol, and 3D Slicer software was used for three-dimensional reconstruction of SHRM lesions. Signal intensity was represented by the mean gray value (mGV) of the three-dimensional lesion area, and homogeneity was represented by the standard deviation of gray values (GV-SD). OCT angiography (OCTA) was used to scan the 6 mm×6 mm area of the macula. FIJI and Angio Tool software were used to measure MNV vascular network total area, perimeter, maximum and minimum diameters, maximum vessel diameter, vascular component area, total number of vascular network junctions and endpoints, vessel dispersion, and mean lacunarity. The ratio of maximum to minimum diameter of the vascular network, average vessel length, vessel density, and vessel fractal index were calculated. Using the mean mGV of the total sample as the standard, the eyes were divided into low-density SHRM group (20 eyes) and high-density SHRM group (26 eyes); using the mean GV-SD of the total sample as the standard, the eyes were divided into homogeneous SHRM group (29 eyes) and non-homogeneous SHRM group (17 eyes). The morphological characteristics of MNV between groups were compared. Independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for between-group comparisons; a multivariate regression model was established to analyze independent factors affecting SHRM signal characteristics. ResultsAmong the 46 eyes of 46 patients, there were 26 eyes of 26 males (56.52%, 26/46) and 20 eyes of 20 females (43.48%, 20/26). The mean age was (65.61±7.50) years. The average vessel length and vessel dispersion in the high-density SHRM group and low-density SHRM group were (6.88±4.56), (11.30±6.31) mm?1 and 41.30±67.26, 13.22±11.34, respectively. Compared with the low-density SHRM group, the high-density SHRM group had significantly lower average vessel length (t=2.645) and higher vessel dispersion (t=?2.090), with statistically significant differences (P=0.012, 0.046). Compared with the homogeneous SHRM group, the non-homogeneous SHRM group had significantly higher total area (t=?2.338), maximum diameter (t=?3.137), and minimum diameter (t=?2.173), with statistically significant differences (P＜0.05). The total number of vascular network junctions in the non-homogeneous SHRM group and homogeneous SHRM group were (90.71±67.34) and (49.34±41.91), respectively; the non-homogeneous SHRM group had significantly more junctions than the homogeneous SHRM group, with a statistically significant difference (t=?2.286, P=0.032). Multivariate regression analysis showed that average vessel length was an independent factor affecting SHRM intensity (odds ratio=0.819, 95% confidence interval 0.705-0.951, P=0.009); there were no independent vascular indicators affecting SHRM reflectivity homogeneity (P＞0.05). ConclusionIn nAMD, compared with low-density SHRM, high-density SHRM has significantly lower average vessel length and higher vessel dispersion; compared with homogeneous SHRM, non-homogeneous SHRM has a larger spatial dimension of the vascular network.
Objective To analyze the characteristics of myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and the outcome of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods A prospective study was carried out, which included 34 eyes of 31 patients with mCNV in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between May and December 2017. OCTA scans were conducted to all patients before treatment, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3–6 months after treatment. The analysis was performed to evaluate the morphological characteristics, lesion area, parafoveal superficial vessel density and perfusion area of choroidal neovascularization before and after treatment. Results Among mCNV patients, small round crumby lesions, small branches, and capillaries responded well to anti-VEGF treatment. Compared with the mean lesion area in mCNV patients before treatment [(0.082±0.013) mm2], there was instant reduction 1 day after treatment [(0.064±0.013) mm2] and obviously decreased after 1 week [(0.046±0.011) mm2]. The parafoveal superficial vessel density and perfusion area before treatment were (15.2±0.5)% and (32.6±1.5)%, respectively, and obvious decrease was observed both in parafoveal superficial vessel density [(12.1±0.9)%] and perfusion area [(27.4±2.0)%] 1 day after treatment in mCNV patients, which began to recover 1 month after treatment. Conclusions OCTA is a non-invasive diagnostic examination, which can clearly identify tiny structures of mCNV, quantify the lesion area and display specific vasculature in mCNV patients. Furthermore, retinal microcirculation can be detected by using OCTA, which provides an effective approach of monitoring the progression and treatment effect of mCNV.
Objective
To assess the consistency of diagnostic results using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA) and fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) in the central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO).
Methods
A retrospective case series of 26 eyes of 26 patients with CRVO. Simultaneous OCTA and FFA were performed in all patients by using 7-standard field of ETDRS to evaluate the microaneurysms, nonperfused areas, optical disc/retinal neovascularization and macular edema. The consistency was evaluated using weightedKappa statistic values.Kappa≥0.75, consistency is excellent; 0.60≤Kappa＜0.75, consistency is good; 0.40≤Kappa＜0.60, consistency is general;Kappa＜0.40, consistency is poor.
Results
Examined by OCTA, microaneurysms were found in 23 eyes, nonperfused areas in 16 eyes, optical disc/retinal neovascularization in 8 eyes and macular edema in 21eyes. Performed with FFA, 23 eyes were diagnosed to have microaneurysms, 16 eyes have nonperfused, 8 eyes have optical disc/retinal neovascularization, 22 eyes have macular edema. The consistency was excellent for microaneurysms(Kappa=0.772，P<0.01) and optical disc/retinal neovascularization(Kappa=0.766，P<0.01), good for nonperfused areas (Kappa=0.703，P<0.01) and macular edema(Kappa=0.60，P<0.01).
Conclusion
There is high consistency between OCTA and FFA in the diagnosis of CRVO, OCTA is an effective method in the examination of CRVO.
