Objective To determine the association between the geneti c polymorp hisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and the prognosis for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Chinese. Methods Twenty infants with threshold ROP who had undergone retinal photocoagulation were in the treated group and 20 infants with self-regressed ROP without any treatment were in the control grou p . In the two groups, all the infants had oxygen-breathing history and the sex a n d gestational age were all suitable to be compared, except birth weight. Polymer ase chains reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine the frequencies of VEGF genes in the two groups. Results The frequencies of +405C allele were higher in the treated group than those in the control group (P＜0.05). The frequencies of the VEGF-460T/C and +936C/T ploymorphisms were similar in both groups (P＞0.05). Conclusions The +4 05C/G ge netic polymorphisms of VEGF may correlate to the prognosis of ROP. The carriers of +405CC allele are more susceptible to ROP.
Objective To explore the effect of oxygen inhalation on the retinae of newborn rats and its mechanism.Methods We mimicked the retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) by putting the newborn rats in high concentrated oxygen. One-day old rats were put into the oxygen box with the oxygen concentration of 80% for continuous 7 days; then in air condition for 7 days. The arterial blood oxygen pressure, retinal superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) of the rats (1,2,4,7,8,9,11,14 days old) were examined. The diameter of retinal vessels′main branch and the coverage rate of peripheral vessels were measured in 7- and 14-day-old rats by ink perfusion. The retinal neovascularization of rats (8,9,11, 14 days old) were observed by HE staining. The rats of the same age fed in air condition were in the control group.Results The differential pressures of blood oxygen of rats (1,2,4,7 days old) in study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.01), while the differential pressures of blood oxygen of rats (8,9,11,14 days old) in study group were lower than those in the control group (P＞0.05). The contents of SOD of the retinae in the rats ( 1,2,4,7,8 days old) were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.01, P＜0.05 ), while the contents of MDA were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.01,P＜0.05). The diameter of retinal vessels′main branch in 7-day rats was 75% of the control group, and the coverage rate of peripheral vessels was 22% of the control group; and was 61% and 73% respectively in 14-day-old rats. The neovascularization could be seen in 16.7% of the rats in the study group and nought in the control group.Conclusion The damage of free radical of the retina in high concentrated oxygen and hypoxia situation after oxygen supply may be one of the most important mechanism of ROP. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：269-332)
Objective To observe the characteristics of images of ocular fundus obtained by computer-assisted imaging system of binocular indirect ophthalmosco p y (CABIO) in the healthy premature infants and the ones with retinopathy of prem aturity(ROP), and evaluate the value of the clinical practice of CABIO in ROP s creening. Methods From January, 2006 to December, 2006, we exa mined 150 prematur e infants in ROP screening procedure by using the computerassisted imaging sys t em of binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, beginning at the infantsprime;age of postn a tal 4-6 weeks or the corrected age above 32 weeks. The follow-up duration was co nfirmed according to the first examination results. The procedure of the operati on was recorded and the typical pictures were shot to obtain the images of the o cular fundus of the healthy premature infants and the ones with ROP. The charact eristics of the images were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Resu lts The typical images of normal ocular fundus and that with ROP in the 150 premature i nfants were successfully obtained by indirect ophthalmoscope. In normal fundus o f infants, the color of optic disc was pale, peripheral retina was not completel y vascularized and presented gray-tone in color;while all stages of ROP present ed dif ferent appearances under the indirect ophthalmoscope. Conclusions Computer-ass isted imaging system of the binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy can clearly observ e the characteristics of normal ocular fundus of premature infants and the ocula r fundus with ROP, and can save the objective examination results, which may pro vide significant references in screening and treating ROP.
ObjectiveTo analyze the regulative rule of mRNA of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy, and to elucidate the possible mechanism of occurrence of neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).MethodsSixty 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into oxygen-induced retinopathy group and control group. In oxygen-induced retinopathy group, 36 mice were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days and then to room air for 5 days; in control group, 24 mice were raised in room air. Vascular perfusion of fluorescein and retinal stretched preparation were used to observe the morphologic changes of retinal vessels. Reversal transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to observe changes of VEGF mRNA in each group. ResultsIn oxygen-induced retinopathy group, the morphologic characteristics of retinal vessels were the unperfused area at the center of superficial and deepseated vessels, and the neovascularization appeared at mid-peripheral retina after 2 days in relative hypoxia condition. The results of RT-PCR showed space-time corresponding relation between expression of VEGF and neovascularization, which meant that the transcription of VEGF mRNA decreased in hyperxia conditionand increased in relative hypoxia condition. ConclusionHypoxia is the main reason of occurrence of retinal neovascularization; increased expression of VEGF caused by relative hypoxia after hyperxia might be effective in reducing the occurrence of neovascularization in ROP.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:292-295)
Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a hot topic of research, and it can be used to treat the ROP (Ⅰzone). The current anti-VEGF drugs include bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept and conbercept, etc. However, in recent years, several studies have confirmed that anti-VEGF drugs have an increased recurrence rate and a longer recurrence time than conventional laser photocoagulation therapy. The follow-up period should be extended and repeated injections may be required. Due to the lack of large-scale prospective clinical studies, the recurrence rate, time window of recurrence, risk factors and treatment methods of various anti-VEGF drugs for ROP are still unclear. Anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of ROP needs to accumulate more evidence-based medical evidence.
ObjectiveTo observe the morphologic characteristics of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and blood stream in patients with retinopathy of prematurity, and provide the new clinical diagnostic gist.MethodsCDFI was performed on 78 patients (156 eyes) with ROP at Ⅳ and Ⅴ stage, who had the diseases history such as prematurity and low birthweight which had been diagnosed by indirect ophthalmoscope, underwent the examination of CDFI. Morphologic characteristics of the results of CDFI and features of blood flow of the pathological changes were observed. ResultsIn the patients with ROP at the Ⅳ stage, a weak zonal echo originated from one side of peripheral wall of eye ball in the vitreous body, and extended to the echo of post pole and wall of eye ball and joined the echo of optic disc. In the patients with ROP at the V stage, lumplike echo connected closely with echo of lens and the circumambience was surrounded; the focus looked like lotus when combined with retinal detachment: the swelled “corona” wrapped and tightly connected with the lens, and the thin “caulis” showed weak zonal echo which attached to the optic disc. The features of blood flow showed the signal of blood stream connected with central retinal artery at the “caulis”, which was analyzed by Doppler spectrum as the bloodflow spectrum of artery and vein in the same direction which was the same as the central retinal artery and vein.ConclusionsIn patients with ROP at the IV and V stage, the results of CDFI mainly shows zonal or lumplike echo, in which the bloodflow signal extended with central retinal artery could be seen. The morphological changes of CDFI and the features of blood flow are useful in diagnosis of ROP. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:282-284)
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal angioproliferative disease that occurs in premature and low birth weight infants, and is the most common eye disease that causes blindness and low vision in infants. However, there is no systematic standardized guidance on the overall treatment strategy for ROP. Therefore, in order to standardize the treatment of ROP, the Ophthalmology Group of Pediatrics Society of Chinese Medical Association organized relevant domestic experts to put forward standardized opinions on the treatment of ROP in China after repeated discussion, so as to provide clinicians with reference and application in clinical practice.
Objective To evaluate the effect of the treatment of diode laser for retinopathy of prematuriy (ROP).Methods Six-eight premature infants, with the gestation lt;32 weeks and birth weight lt;1500 g,were examined 6-7 weeks after birth. The infants suffering from threshold ROP were treated by diode laser through a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope within 48 hours after the confirmation of diagnosis, and with the follow-up of 4～6 moths. Retinal detachment was found in 1 eye 1 month after laser treatment, and scleral encircling operation was performed on the eye which was followed up for 3 months after the operation. Cycloplegic refractive examination was performed on the eyes with threshold ROP 4 months postnatally to determine the presence of refractive errors.Results Six infants (1) eyes were diagnosed as with threshold ROP. The average age of the occurrence of threshold ROP were (10±2.89) (ranging from 6 to 14 weeks) weeks postnatally. The successful rate of diode laser treatment was 91.67%. Retina was flat in one eye treated by scleral encircling operation. Refractive errors of the eye treated by scleral encircling operation was -14.5 D, and the median spherical equivalent errors in other 11 eyes was ( -2.89±-1.86) D. Conclusion The treatment of diode laser is effective for threshhold ROP. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：96-98)
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effect of reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) patients after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR). MethodsA retrospective case series study. Eleven children with ROP (21 eyes) who were reactivated after IVR in Shenzhen Eye Hospital from January 2019 to October 2021 were included in the study. Among them, there were 6 males (11 eyes) and 5 females (10 eyes), with the gestational age of (27.6±2.2) weeks and birth weight of (1 034.6±306.5) g. At the first IVR treatment, 14 eyes (63.7%, 14/22) had acute ROP (AROP), 8 eyes (36.3%, 8/22) had threshold lesions. Post-reactivation treatments include IVR, retinal laser photocoagulation (LP), or minimally invasive vitrectomy (MIVS). The follow-up time after treatment was 12 to 18 months. Birth gestational age, birth weight, treatment method, corrected gestational age at treatment, lesion stage before and after treatment, lesion reactivation and regression time were recorded. The clinical characteristics and efficacy were observed and analyzed. ResultsThe time from initial IVR treatment to reactivation was (8.2±3.5) weeks. The corrected gestational age of the child was (43.62±4.08) weeks. In 21 eyes, AROP, threshold lesion, pre-threshold lesion, and stage 4 lesion were in 2, 4, 12, and 3 eyes, respectively. The patients were treated with IVR, LP, IVR+LP, IVR+MIVS in 2, 13, 4 and 2 eyes, respectively. After the first reactivation treatment, the time of regression and stability was (8.4±4.9) weeks after treatment. There were 5 eyes with secondary reactivation of the lesion, and the lesion stages were stage 3, stage 4a and stage 5 in 2, 1 and 2 eyes, respectively. The mean reactivation time was (19.3±6.0) weeks after the last treatment. The patients in stage 3, stage 4a and stage 5 were treated with LP, LP+MIVS and IVR, respecitively, and the lesions subsided steadily during follow-up. At the last follow-up, 19 out of 21 eyes showed complete regression of the lesions, stable photocoagulation, regression of crista-like lesions, no additional lesions, and retinal leveling. All retinal detachment was "funnel-shaped" in 2 eyes. ConclusionsThe lesion reactivation of AROP after IVR treatment is more common. The early reactivation rate is higher after treatment. There is a possibility of reactivation twice after re-treatment.
ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze incidence and trends of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) from 2004 to 2013 in Shenzhen.
MethodsA total of 9100 preterm children (5401 males, 3699 females) were screened for ROP in Shenzhen from January 2004 to June 2013 using binocular ophthalmoscope or RetCam Ⅱ. First examination was performed from 4-6 weeks after birth. The birth weight was 520-2990 g with an average of (1710±410) g.The gestational age were 24-36 weeks with an average of (31.57±1.99) weeks. The gestational age of 208 children were <28 weeks, 3608 children were 28-32 weeks, 3553 children was 33-34 weeks, 1731 children was >34 weeks. The ocular findings were recorded according to the International Classification of ROP and The Early Treatment for ROP. Only the more aggressive eye of bilateral asymmetrical cases was counted for statistical purpose, and the cases required surgeries were defined as severe cases. The 10 years period was divided into first phase (2004-2008) and second phase (2009-2013). The incidence of ROP and severe ROP of these two phases was compared and statistics was analyzed.
ResultsIn the past 10 years, the overall incidence of ROP and sever ROP in Shenzhen was 12.49% and 4.99% in this screen. The children were divided into 4 groups according to the birth weight, the ROP incidences of birth weight <1000 g, 1000-1499 g, 1500-1999 g and ≥2000 g were 62.62%, 28.40%, 11.34% and 3.63% respectively. The severe ROP incidences were 34.95%, 12.21%, 3.73% and 0.49% respectively in these birth weight groups. The children were divided into 4 groups according to gestational weeks, the ROP incidences of gestational age <28 weeks, 28-32 weeks, 33-34 weeks and >34 weeks were 67.31%, 25.27%, 7.22% and 3.87% respectively. Severe ROP incidences were 37.02%, 10.71%, 1.79% and 0.68% in these gestational age groups respectively. ROP and severe ROP incidences were decreased from 14.64% at first phase to 11.47% at second phase, and from 6.52% at first phase to 4.26% second phase respectively, the differences were statistical significant (χ2=26.96, 26.61; P<0.05). ROP and severe ROP incidence in <1000 g birth weight group at second phase were much less than the first phase (χ2=13.676, 5.271; P<0.05). In <28 weeks gestational age group, the ROP incidence was the same in first phase and second phase (χ2=0.843, P>0.05), but the severe ROP incidence at second phase was much less the first phase (χ2=4.757,P<0.05).
ConclusionFrom 2004 to 2013, the incidences of ROP and severe ROP have decreased significantly in Shenzhen.
