ObjectiveTo analyze the associations between the choroidal vasculature and submacular fluid (SMF) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsA retrospective study. A total of 29 CSC patients (31 eyes) with complete records who visited the Department of Ophthalmology in Peking University People's Hospital from August 1, 2021 to March 1, 2023 were included in this study. The patients were divided into complete absorption and incomplete absorption groups according to the status of SMF in the last visit. All the patients underwent ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF SS-OCTA) with a scanning range of 24 mm × 20 mm. The UWF SS-OCTA images were automatically analyzed in 9 regions (superotemporal, superior, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, inferior, and inferonasal). Alterations of choroidal vasculature in the nine subfields after SMF absorption were described, including choroidal thickness (CT), flow density of choriocapillaris layer, vessel density of large choroidal vessel layer, three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index (CVI), the mean choroidal vessel volume (mCVV), and the mean choroidal stroma volume (mCSV). The relevant factors affecting the complete absorption of SMF were additionally evaluated. ResultsAt baseline, CT (Z=2.859, P=0.004), mCVV (t=2.514, P=0.018), and mCSV (Z=2.958, P=0.003) in the superotemporal region of the affected eyes in the incomplete absorption group were significantly higher than those in the complete absorption group. Compared with baseline, at the last visit, the proportion of asymmetric vortex veins in the complete absorption group was significantly decreased (χ2=6.000, P=0.014), CVI in the superotemporal, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, and inferonasal regions (t=－4.125, t=－3.247, Z=－3.213, t=－2.994, t=－3.417, t=－3.733, t=－3.795; P=0.001, 0.006, 0.001, 0.010, 0.005, 0.003, 0.002), the mCVV of 9 regions (t=－2.959, t=－2.537, t=－2.235, t=－3.260, t=－3.022, t=－2.796, t=－2.747, Z=－2.107, t=－2.935; P=0.011, 0.025, 0.044, 0.006, 0.010, 0.015, 0.017, 0.035, 0.012) were significantly decreased. Compared to the complete absorption group, the choroidal blood flow changes in the non-complete absorption group were more limited, and CT in the upper region increased significantly at the last follow-up (t=2.272, P=0.037). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline CT in the superotemporal region may be an independent risk factor affecting the complete absorption of SMF (odds ratio=0.981, 95% confidential interval 0.965-0.997, P=0.021). ConclusionsIn the process of SMF absorption in CSC, significant reductions of choroidal blood flow were found in the large choroidal vessel layer, and there may be a locally compensatory increase in CT. In addition, baseline CT in superotemporal region is an independent risk factor affecting SMF absorption.
Objective To observe the hemodynamic changes in the retina and choroid after scleral buckling surgery in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). MethodsA prospective clinical observational study. A total of 25 eyes of 25 patients with RRD who underwent scleral buckling surgery in Tianjin Eye Hospital from February to April 2024 were included in the study. Among them, 10 were male and 15 were female. Age was 17-68 years old. All cases were monocular. The surgical eye and the contralateral healthy eye were divided into the affected eye group and the contralateral healthy eye group respectively. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), scanning source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA), and axial length (AL) measurements were performed 3 months after surgery. SS-OCTA examination of macular area was performed by VG200 of Visual Microimaging (Henan) Technology Co., LTD. Scanning range 21 mm×26 mm. According to the partitioning method of the early treatment group of glycosuria retinopathy, the retina within 21 mm of the macular fovea was divided into concentric circles with the macular fovea as the center and diameters of 1-3, 3-6, 6-12, 12-21 mm, respectively. The built-in software of the device was used to record the central area (12 mm×12 mm in the fovea of the macula) and the peripheral area (12-21 mm range) retinal superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC) blood density and choroidal vascular index (CVI), choroidal vascular volume (CVV), and 1-3, 3-6, 6-12, 12-21 mm above concentric circles (S), nasal side (N), temporal side (T), and lower side (I) SCP, DCP, and RPC blood flow density. Quantitative data between the two groups were compared by independent sample t test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. The correlation between retinal and choroid blood flow parameters and postoperative BCVA was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the opposite healthy eye group, SCP blood density in the central area (Z=?4.372), DCP blood density in the central area (Z=?2.829), and CVI in the peripheral area (Z=?2.138) were decreased in the affected eye group, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). SCP: in the affected eye group, the blood flow density in T3-6 mm, T6-12 mm, N6-12 mm and T12-21 mm regions decreased, while the blood flow density in I6-12 mm regions increased, with statistical significance (P＜0.05). DCP: blood flow density in S6-12 mm, I6-12 mm, S12-21 mm and I12-21 mm regions decreased significantly, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). RPC: blood flow density decreased significantly in T6-12 mm and I12-21 mm, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). CVI: T6-12 mm, S12-21 mm, T12-21 mm, I12-21 mm significantly decreased, and T1-3 mm, S12-21 mm significantly increased, the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). Correlation analysis showed that AL growth was positively correlated with CVV in central region (r=0.408, P=0.040) . The number of pad pressure was negatively correlated with the blood density of central DCP (r=?0.422, P=0.030). ConclusionsAfter scleral buckling operation, the blood flow density and choroidal blood flow parameters in RRD affected eyes are lower than those in contralateral healthy eyes in some areas. The increase of AL is positively correlated with CVV in the central region, and the wider the range of pad pressure, the worse the recovery of DCP blood density.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a key technique in the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis, which can identify plaques and vulnerable plaques in the image. Therefore, this technique is of great significance for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease. However, there is still a lack of automatic, multi-region, high-precision segmentation algorithms for coronary OCT images in the current research field. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-zone, fully automated segmentation algorithm for coronary OCT images based on neutrosophic theory, which achieves high-precision segmentation of fibrous plaques and lipid regions. In this paper, the method of transforming OCT images into T in the area of neutrosophics is redefined based on the membership function, and the segmentation accuracy of fiber plaques is improved. For the segmentation of lipid regions, the algorithm adds homomorphic filter enhancement images, and uses OCT to transform OCT images into I in the field of neutrosophics, and further uses morphological methods to achieve high-precision segmentation. In this paper, 40 OCT images from 9 patients with typical plaques were analyzed and compared with the results of manual segmentation by doctors. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm avoids the over-segmentation and under-segmentation problems of the traditional neutrosophic theory method, and accurately segment the patch area. Therefore, the work of this paper can effectively improve the accuracy of segmentation of plaque for doctors, and assist clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the correlations between aqueous humor cytokine concentrations and disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL), as well as postoperative visual acuity, in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM). MethodsA prospective clinical study. From November 2022 to October 2024, 40 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with iERM at Ophthalmology Center of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital) underwent cataract surgery alone or combined with pars plana vitrectomy (iERM group) were enrolled; 19 eyes of 19 patients undergoing cataract surgery alone during the same period served as the control group. All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). BCVA was assessed using a logarithmic visual acuity chart and converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured using SS-OCT. The iERM group was further subdivided into DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups (21 eyes and 19 eyes, respectively), based on the presence or absence of DRIL. Aqueous humor samples were collected preoperatively from eyes in both the iERM and control groups. Concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), placental growth factor (PLGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Follow-up examinations using the same equipment and methods were performed at 1 month postoperatively. Aqueous cytokine levels were compared between the iERM group, control group, DRIL-positive subgroup, and DRIL-negative subgroup. Correlations between aqueous cytokine levels in the iERM group and BCVA or CMT were also analyzed. Intergroup comparisons utilized the Mann-Whitney U test; correlations between variables were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. ResultsCompared to the control group, the iERM group exhibited significantly higher aqueous concentrations of TGF-β1, TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, and TNF-α (P＜0.05). Compared to the DRIL-negative subgroup, the DRIL-positive subgroup showed significantly elevated aqueous concentrations of TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, Ang-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P＜0.05). Significant differences were observed in logMAR BCVA (P=0.028) and CMT (P＜0.001) within the iERM group between preoperative and 1-month postoperative measurements. LogMAR BCVA differed significantly between the DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups (P=0.048). Correlation analysis revealed that baseline aqueous levels of VEGF-A and IL-6 in eyes with DRIL were positively correlated with postoperative BCVA (r=0.324, 0.452; P=0.042, 0.003). No significant correlation was found between CMT and any cytokine (P＞0.05). ConclusionsAqueous humor cytokines are closely associated with DRIL in iERM patients. IL-6 and VEGF-A may serve as potential predictive biomarkers for early postoperative visual recovery.
Objective To evaluate the application value of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods A comprehensive search of both domestic and international databases was conducted to identify clinical studies on the use of OCTA in OSAS, from the establishment of the databases to May 2024. A meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 software. Results A total of 134 studies were initially identified, with 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, encompassing 999 subjects (739 in the OSAS group and 260 in the healthy group). Meta-analysis results indicated that the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) density in the fovea (MD=–2.05, 95%CI –3.75 to –0.35, P=0.02) and parafovea (MD=–1.56, 95%CI –2.44 to –0.68, P=0.000 5) was significantly lower in the OSAS group compared with the healthy group. In the mild to moderate OSAS group, SCP density was significantly lower in the fovea (MD=–2.41, 95%CI –4.32 to –0.49, P=0.01), parafovea (MD=–1.17, 95%CI –2.01 to –0.32, P=0.007), and perifovea (MD=–1.73, 95%CI –2.69 to –0.77, P=0.000 4) compared with the healthy group. In the severe OSAS group, SCP density in the perifovea (MD=–1.33, 95%CI –2.53 to –0.13, P=0.03) was significantly lower than that of the healthy group. SCP density in the whole area (MD=0.36, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.68, P=0.02) was significantly higher in the mild to moderate OSAS group compared with the severe OSAS group. In the deep capillary plexus (DCP) density, the OSAS group showed significantly lower densities in the whole area (MD=–2.16, 95%CI –3.51 to –0.81, P=0.002), fovea (MD=–2.38, 95%CI –4.38 to –0.37, P=0.02), and parafovea (MD=–2.33, 95%CI –3.93 to –0.73, P=0.004) compared with the healthy group. The mild to moderate OSAS group also showed significantly lower densities in the whole area (MD=–2.02, 95%CI –3.33 to –0.72, P=0.002) and parafovea (MD=–1.65, 95%CI –3.04 to –0.26, P=0.02) compared with the healthy group. The severe OSAS group had significantly lower DCP density in the whole area (MD=–2.26, 95%CI –3.85 to –0.66, P=0.006) and parafovea (MD=–1.47, 95%CI –2.31 to –0.62, P=0.000 7) compared with the healthy group. DCP density in the whole area (MD=0.54, 95%CI 0.02 to 1.07, P=0.04) was significantly higher in the mild to moderate OSAS group compared with the severe OSAS group. Regarding the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, the inferior quadrant (MD=4.01, 95%CI 0.69 to 7.32, P=0.02) and temporal quadrant (MD=4.35, 95%CI 1.88 to 6.82, P=0.000 6) were significantly thicker in the mild to moderate OSAS group compared with the severe OSAS group. In terms of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, the severe OSAS group showed a significantly larger FAZ area (MD=0.06, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.08, P<0.000 01) compared with the healthy group. Conclusion OCTA-related ocular biomarkers may be associated with the occurrence and progression of OSAS and have potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of OSAS.
Objective To compare changes in retinal and choroidal blood flow in the macular area of eyes with idiopathic macular hole (IMH), fellow eyes, and normal eyes. Additionally, the correlation between these blood flow changes and the occurrence and development of IMH. Methods A cross-sectional study. From January 2023 to January 2024, 47 patients (47 eyes) diagnosed with IMH (IMH group) in Department of Ophthalmology of The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University were included in the study. The contralateral eye of IMH eyes was assigned to the contralateral eye group. Healthy volunteers with matched gender and age were selected as the normal control group. Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography was used to acquire the vessel density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) in the areas within 0-1 mm and 1-6 mm around the fovea, including the superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal regions. Additionally, the choroidal blood flow area (CBFA) and three-dimensional choroidal vascular index (3D-CVI) were measured. The minimum linear diameter (MLD) and base diameter (BD) of the IMH were manually measured. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between the size of the IMH and the various vascular parameters. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the SCP-VD in the 3rd stage (t=1.298, P=0.009) and 4th stage (t=1.264, P＜0.000) eyes in the IMH group was significantly decreased, with statistical significance; the DCP-VD (t=1.958, 2.150, 1.712, 1.667; P=0.027, ＜0.000, ＜0.000, ＜0.000) and 3D-CVI (t=0.027, 0.030, 0.024, 0.023; P=0.005, 0.003, ＜0.000, ＜0.000) in eyes of all stages were significantly decreased, with statistical significance; the CBFA in eyes of stages 2-4 was significantly decreased, with statistical significance (t=0.027, 0.022, 0.021; P=0.028, 0.002, 0.002). Compared with the contralateral eye group, the DCP-VD and 3D-CVI in the IMH group were significantly reduced, with statistical significance (Z=?3.289, ?2.704; P=0.001, 0.007). Pairwise comparisons between eyes of different stages in the IMH group showed that SCP-VD was significantly different between stage 2 and stage 4 (t=1.776, P=0.008); DCP-VD was significantly different between stage 1 and stage 3, and stage 1 and stage 4 (t=1.685, 1.661; P=0.002, 0.000). Correlation analysis showed that SCP-VD was negatively correlated with MLD and BD (r=?0.508, ?0.408; P=0.002, 0.014); DCP-VD was negatively correlated with BD (r=?0.410, P=0.013). Compared with the normal control group, the nasal CBFA in stage 3 and 4 IMH eyes (t=0.149, 0.145; P=0.005, 0.002), and the nasal 3D-CVI in stage 1 and 3 IMH eyes (t=0.030, 0.027; P=0.002, ＜0.000) were significantly decreased, with statistical significance. ConclusionsThe SCP-VD, DCP-VD, CBFA, and 3D-CVI in IMH eyes were significantly reduced. SCP-VD showed a negative correlation with MLD and BD, while DCP-VD was only negatively correlated with BD.
We aimed to establish an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system to measure the strain of blood vessels. A general OCT system was constructed firstly and its reliability was confirmed by comparing the OCT imaging of the porcine coronary and the corresponding histological slices. The strain of the porcine coronary was induced by static flow pressure and correlation algorithm was used to calculate the strain field of blood vessels within OCT images. The results suggest that bright-dark stratification of blood vessels displayed in OCT images is consistent with the intima and media layers of histological image. Furthermore, the strain of media layer is greater than that of the intima layer under the same static pressure. The optical coherence imaging system could not only measure the histological structure of the blood vessels, but also qualify the vessel strain under flow pressure.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new technique applied in cardiovascular system. It can detect vessel intimal, small structure of plaque surface and discover small lesions with its high axial resolution and quantification character. Especially with the application of OCT in characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaque, diagnosis and treatment strategy making, optimizing percutaneous coronary intervention therapy and assessment after stent planting make the OCT become an efficient tool for cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment. This paper presents a novel coronary vessel intimal sequence extraction method based on prior boundary constraints in OCT image. On the basis of conventional Chan-Vese model, we modified the evolutionary weight function to control the evolutionary rate of boundary by adding local information of boundary curve. At the same time, we added the gradient energy term and intimal boundary constraint term based on priori boundary condition to further control the evolutionary of boundary curve. At last, coronary vessel intimal is extracted in a sequence way. The comparison with vessel intimal, manual segmented by clinical scientists (golden standard), indicates that our coronary vessel intimal extraction method is robust to intimal boundary blur, distortion, guide wire shadow and plaque disturbs. The results of this study can be applied to clinical aid diagnosis and precise diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo compare and observe the fundus imaging characteristics of eyes with glucocorticoid-related central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. A total of 149 CSC patients with 166 eyes diagnosed at Department of Ophthalmology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2021 to October 2024 were included in the study. The duration of the disease from the appearance of symptoms to treatment was less than 3 months. All affected eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus color photography, swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) examinations. BCVA was tested using an international standard vision chart and converted into logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity for statistical analysis. The SS-OCT instrument measured subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), central macular thickness (CMT), choroidal vascular volume (CVV), and the width and height of flat irregular pigment epithelial detachment (FIPED). FIPED, subretinal fibrin, and choroidal layer strong reflective spots were identified from SS-OCTA B-scan images; multiple leakages (leak points >3) were identified from FFA images. Based on the presence or absence of a clear history of glucocorticoid administration before the onset, patients were divided into glucocorticoid-related and non-glucocorticoid-related groups, comprising 41 patients with 53 eyes and 108 patients with 113 eyes, respectively. Clinical and fundus imaging characteristics of the two groups were compared. The comparison of quantitative data between the two groups was performed using independent samples t test or non-parametric independent samples Wilcoxon test; the comparison of qualitative data was performed using χ2 test. ResultsCompared with the non-glucocorticoid-related group, the glucocorticoid-related group had a smaller male-to-female ratio and a higher bilateral incidence, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=4.925, 17.849; P＜0.05). The logMAR BCVA for the glucocorticoid-related and non-glucocorticoid-related groups were 0.45±0.33 and 0.21±0.21, respectively; SFCT were (644.43±131.91) and (507.26±121.79) μm; CMT were (389.51±233.45) and (362.59±140.85) μm; CVV were (4.44±1.07) and (3.67±0.82) mm3; FIPED incidence were 58.49% (31/58) and 20.35% (23/113), respectively; FIPED width and height were (1 122.01±533.98) and (742.90±388.79) μm, and (99.13±92.17) and (33.01±15.99) μm; subretinal fibrin were observed in 24 (45.28%, 24/53) and 15 (13.27%, 15/113) eyes; choroidal strong reflections were found in 38 (71.70%, 38/53) and 45 (39.82%, 45/113) eyes; multiple leak points were identified in 35 (66.03%, 35/53) and 40 (35.40%, 40/113) eyes, respectively. Compared with the non-glucocorticoid-related group, the glucocorticoid-related group had worse BCVA (Z=?4.984), thicker SFCT (t=6.586), larger CVV (t=5.160), higher incidence of FIPED (χ2=23.908), and greater width and height of FIPED (t=2.895, Z=?3.703). The glucocorticoid-related group also had a significantly increased incidence of subretinal fibrin, choroidal strong reflections, and multiple leak points, with all differences being statistically significant (χ2=20.565, 14.663, 13.675; P＜0.05); however, the comparison of CMT showed no statistically significant difference (Z=?0.651, P＞0.05). ConclusionCompared with non-glucocorticoid-related CSC, glucocorticoid-related CSC patients have poorer vision, are more likely to affect both eyes, show no gender bias; choroidal vascular dilation is more significant, and damage to the outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium is more severe.
In recent years, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has developed into a popular coronary imaging technology at home and abroad. The segmentation of plaque regions in coronary OCT images has great significance for vulnerable plaque recognition and research. In this paper, a new algorithm based on K-means clustering and improved random walk is proposed and Semi-automated segmentation of calcified plaque, fibrotic plaque and lipid pool was achieved. And the weight function of random walk is improved. The distance between the edges of pixels in the image and the seed points is added to the definition of the weight function. It increases the weak edge weights and prevent over-segmentation. Based on the above methods, the OCT images of 9 coronary atherosclerotic patients were selected for plaque segmentation. By contrasting the doctor’s manual segmentation results with this method, it was proved that this method had good robustness and accuracy. It is hoped that this method can be helpful for the clinical diagnosis of coronary heart disease.
