bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repeatability of retinal thickness and volume metrics in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration using the Heidelberg spectralis optical coherence tomography
Authors: DEGLI ESPOSTI S , COMYN O , KEANE PA , TUFAIL A , PATEL P
Published: August 2012

Purpose To estimate the intra‐session repeatability of retinal thickness and volume measurements from consecutive raster Heidelberg Spectralis spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans in patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods Retrospective analysis of Spectralis OCT scans taken from 27 patients with a diagnosis of nAMD. Three OCT raster scans were performed by the same observer in the same sitting in consecutive patients attending for nAMD treatment, one of which being taken as a follow‐up after setting a reference point on the baseline scan and one being taken as an independent scan from the baseline one. Retinal thickness and volume measurements were automatically calculated by the onboard software. Bland‐Altman methods of analysis were used to assess repeatability.

Results Data from the 27 patients were analyzed with a mean (SD) age of 78 years (7). Mean visual acuity was 20/63 (range 20/200‐20/32) The 95% coefficient of repeatability (CR) was 44 µm and 0.038 mm3 for retinal thickness and volume respectively in the central 1 mm macular subfield for the two independent scans, and it was 32 µm and 0.027 mm3 for the two scans taken with the follow‐up reference.

Conclusion We report estimates of the intra‐session repeatability of Spectralis OCT retinal thickness and volume metrics in patients with nAMD. There were comparable repeatability estimates for scans taken with or without setting a reference scan with the onboard software. The results are helpful in distinguishing clinical change from measurement variability in clinical practice.
Diabetic macular oedema and choroidal thickness measured by EDI SD‐OCT
Authors: ASCASO F , ZABADANI K , VILLEN L , MATEO J , CASAS P , JIMENEZ B , DEL BUEY MA , CRISTOBAL JA
Published: August 2012

Purpose Present study compared the choroidal thickness in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) with that in healthy controls to know the true role of choroids in DME.

Methods Twelve eyes of 9 patients with DME (65.5±8.4 years), 9 contralateral eyes without DME (60.2±13.7 years), and 186 eyes of 96 age‐matched healthy volunteers (62.1±19.4 years) underwent enhanced depth imaging (EDI) spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography with a Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT.

Results Reliable measurements of choroidal thickness were obtained in 72.3% of eyes examined. In the DME group the mean choroidal thicknesses were 232.4±74.7 µm at the fovea, 223.3±70.0 µm nasally, and 234.0±72.9 µm temporally. In the contralateral eyes these measurements were 279.9±103.6 µm, 252.8±86.4 µm, and 283.9±101.4 µm, respectively. Finally, the control group showed slightly higher values: 288.6±114.5 µm, 279.1±112.7 µm, and 283.8±104.3 µm, respectively. However, choroidal thickness did not show any statistically significant differences among the three groups of eyes (p>0.05, ANOVA test).

Conclusion Although a decreased choroidal thickness has been reported in eyes with DME, no differences were found in present study when age was counted as a confounding variable. Age has a strong inverse relationship with choroidal thickness.
Ratio of foveal thickness to choroidal thickness in caucasians
Authors: SCHMIDBAUER M
Published: August 2012

Purpose To examine the potential dependence of foveal thickness on subfoveal choroidal thickness and associated factors.

Methods Patients without any macular or optic nerve disease and attending the clinic for cataract surgery underwent biometry and enhanced depth imaging of the deep retinal and choroidal layers by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT, Spectralis).

Results The study included 47 patients (24 women) with a mean age of 73.4 ± 7.3 years (range: 57.1 – 87.4 years) and mean axial length of 23.56 ± 0.88 mm (range: 21.65 – 25.47mm). The ratio of foveal thickness to subfoveal choroidal thickness (RFTCT) was 1.11 ± 0.48 (median: 1.06; range: 0.41‐2.60). In multivariate analysis, RFTCT increased significantly with longer axial length (non‐standardized regression coefficient B: 0.21; standardized correlation coefficient ß= 0.39; P =0.006) and older age (B:0.02; ß= 0.35; P=0.01).

Conclusion In elderly Caucasians, mean foveal thickness was about 11% higher than subfoveal choroidal thickness. For each mm increase in axial length, and for each increase in year of age, the ratio of foveal thickness to subfoveal choroidal thickness increased by 20 percentage points and by 2 percentage points, respectively. With increasing axial length, and with higher age, the choroidal thickness changes more marked than the foveal thickness changes.
Subfoveal choroidal thickness. The Beijing eye study
Authors: STEINMETZ P
Published: August 2012

Purpose To study the subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT) in adult Chinese and its correlation with ocular biometric parameters, ref. error, and age

Methods A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed including SD‐OCT with enhanced depth imaging for measurement of SFCT

Results SFCT measurements were available for 3233 (93.2%) subjects.Mean SFCT was 253.8 ± 107.4μm (range: 8μm to 854μm).In multivariate analysis, SFCT was associated with younger age(P<0.001; correlation coefficient r:4.12; beta coefficient: 0.37),shorter axial length (P<0.001;r:44.7;ϐ:0.46), male gender (P<0.001;r:28.5;ϐ:‐0.13), deeper anterior chamber depth (P<0.001;r:39.3;ϐ:0.13),thicker lens (P<0.001;r:26.8;ϐ:0.08),flatter cornea (P<0.001;r:46.0;ϐ:0.11) and better best corrected visual acuity(logMAR;P=0.001;r:48.4;ϐ:0.06). In multivariate analysis, SFCT was not significantly associated with blood pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, intraocular pressure, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, serum concentrations of lipids and glucose, diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension. In the myopic refractive error range of more than ‐1 diopters, SFCT decreased by 15µm(95% CI): 11.9, 18.5) for every increase in myopic refractive error of one diopter,or by 32µm (95%CI: 37.1, 26.0) for every increase in axial length of one millimeter. For each year increase in age, the SFCT decreased by 4.1μm (95%CI: 4.6, 3.7) (multivariate analysis).

Conclusion SFCT with a mean of 254±107μm in elderly subjects with a mean age of 65 years decreased with age(4µm per year of age) and myopia(15 µm per diopter of myopia). It was additionally associated with male gender and the ocular biometric parameters of a deeper anterior chamber and thicker lens. The association between SFCT and BVCA strongly points towards a functional aspect of SFCT
Preoperative vitrectomy treatment preventing vitreous haemorrhage
Authors: HALFELD FURTADO DE MENDONCA R , FERREIRA EL , ARAúJO FERRAZ D , DE OLIVEIRA MAIA JUNIOR O , YUKIHIKO TAKAHASHI W
Published: August 2012

Purpose To compare the results of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and triamcinolone (IVT) treatment as prevention of early postvitrectomy haemorrhage in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods 27 eyes with PDR were distributed in 3 groups (9 patients each): the IVB group received 1.25 mg bevacizumab, the IVT group received 4,0mg triamcinolone and the control group underwent a sham procedure. The incidence of early postvitrectomy hemorrhage, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and adverse events were considered.

Results The lowest incidence of vitreous hemorrhage was in IVB group but not statistically significant. The rate of bleeding immediately after surgery was higher in IVT group. Considering VA, in the IVT group the improvement was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1 week before vitrectomy seems to reduce the incidence of early postvitrectomy haemorrhage in diabetic patients. There was a better VA outcome in the triamcinolone group.
Role of Sp1 transcription factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: DONOVAN K , ALEKSEEV O , CHO W , AZIZKHAN‐CLIFFORD J
Published: August 2012

Purpose Proangiogenic factors, VEGF and Cyr61, drive aberrant retinal neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Their expression is regulated by the transcription factor Sp1. Several layers of the retina participate in the secretion of these factors; however, the contribution of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy has remained largely overlooked. Our objective was to characterize the Sp1‐dependent production of VEGF and Cyr61 in models of the diabetic retina, specifically focusing on the RPE, with the ultimate goal of identifying potential novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of DR.

Methods Glucose‐treated ARPE‐19 (human retinal pigment epithelial cells) and TR‐iBRB (rat retinal microendothelial cells) were assayed for levels of VEGF and Cyr61 by qPCR, Western blot, and tubule formation assays. RNAi was used to deplete cells of Sp1. Binding of Sp1 to VEGF and Cyr61 promoters was monitored by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Immunohistochemistry for VEGF and Cyr61 was done in diabetic mouse retinas.

Results Glucose treatment caused increased VEGF and Cyr61 transcript and protein, and Sp1 depletion abrogated these changes in both cell types. ChIP analysis showed glucose‐induced increase in the Sp1 binding to VEGF and Cyr61 promoters. Additionally, expression of both factors was increased in the RPE of diabetic mice.

Conclusion VEGF and Cyr61 are upregulated in ARPE‐19 and TR‐iBRB in hyperglycemia, which coincides with elevated Sp1 binding at their promoters. Depletion of Sp1 significantly reduced their aberrant expression. Sp1 may participate in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy via upregulation of these proangiogenic genes in the RPE as well as in the vascular retina.
Intravitreal bevacizumab injection with grid laser photocoagulation for macular oedema in branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: KIM HS
Published: August 2012

Purpose To evaluate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) with grid laser photocoagulation for macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods This was a retrospective case series. Ten eyes in 10 patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO with at least 3 months of symptom duration were included. The mean follow‐up term was 70.2 ± 8.4 weeks. Patients underwent IVB at baseline and macular grid laser photocoagulation 1 week later. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were examined during the monthly follow‐up. If persistent or recurrent fluid collection appeared in optical coherence tomography (OCT) , additional IVB were performed. To evaluate differences between baseline and post‐treatment BCVA and CMT, Fisher exact test was performed.

Results The mean baseline BCVA was 0.31±0.17 (mean±SD), and the mean CMT was 530±109 µm. The mean BCVA at 4, 12 and 24 weeks were 0.49±0.21 (p=0.030), 0.47±0.60 (p=0.038), and 0.41±0.85 (p=0.041), respectively. The mean CMT were 285±75 µm (p<0.01), 304±120 µm (p<0.01), and 325±145 µm (p=0.015). A mean 1.85 injections were administered and the second injection was done at a mean 3.52 months after baseline.

Conclusion IVB and additional grid photocoagulation were effective for macular edema in BRVO, and the improvement maintained for 6 months.
RE‐MI‐DO Study: resultats of a multicenter study of dexamethasone implantation in eyes with macular oedema in retinal vein occlusion
Authors: POMMIER S , MEYER F
Published: August 2012

Purpose Retrospective Multicentric Study of the dexamethasone drug delivery system (OZURDEX) in the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the dexamethasone drug delivery system (OZURDEX) in eyes with macular edema following branch (BRVO) or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Methods Retrospective, noncomparative, multicentric Study with a minimum of 6 months follow‐up 220 patients with retinal vein occlusion (55.9% BRVO, 44.1% CRVO) have been included in the study with a minimum follow‐up of 6 months (mean follow‐up = 10.2 months). The patients received one or more OZURDEX in the study eye during the follow‐up. 8 French ophthalmic centers have participated to the study. Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) intraocular pressure (IOP) variation and cataract progression were evaluated monthly from baseline to 6 months.

Results The initial CRT was 657.2 microns and decrease by 49.8% at M1, 55.2% at M3 and 28.1% at M6. The initial BCVA was 48 letters. AV> 20/40 was observed in 41% of patients at M1, 47.8% at M3 and 19.9% at M6. 50.8% of patients at M1, 55.9% at M3, and 35.1% at M6 had an improvement ≥ 15‐letters in BCVA from baseline. An IOP > 25mmHg was observed in 15.8% of patients. 6% of had an increase ≥ 10‐mmHg from baseline during the first month after the first injection. These IOP increase were transients At 6 months, one third of the patients required a second injection. The mean time for reinjection was 5,3 months.

Conclusion Ozurdex provides an efficient and risk‐benefit ratio acceptable to the treatment of RVO patients with macular edema.
The effects of exercise on peripapillary retinal oxygenation
Authors: VEKRIA P , CUBBIDGE R , HEITMAR R
Published: August 2012

Purpose Blood flow to the retina is maintained by central retinal vessels that exhibit autoregulatory capacity. Physical activity has been demonstrated to have acute, transitory, effects on ocular haemodynamic factors including intraocular pressure and blood pressure. What remains unclear is how the oxygen saturation of retinal blood vessels is affected by prior levels of physical activity. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of physical activity on peripapillary retinal vessel oxygenation.

Methods Eight eyes from eight healthy volunteers were assessed in the study. Peripapillary retinal vessel oxygenation (dual‐wavelength fundus images; 548nm and 610nm), blood pressure (automated sphygmamometer) and intraocular pressure (non‐contact tonometer) was assessed before, immediately after, and 15 minutes following a period of aerobic exercise (Master’s two‐step stress test).

Results Average peripapillary arterial oxygenation increased from 95.01% ± 9.62% (mean ± standard deviation) before exercise to 97.57% ± 9.90% (paired t‐test, p=0.028) immediately following exercise, and 96.67% ± 10.54% (p=0.163) at 15 minutes following exercise. Average peripapillary venous oxygenation increased from 57.95% ± 17.29% before exercise to 64.06% ± 21.13% (p=0.006) following exercise, and 61.40% ± 17.03% (p=0.055) at 15 minutes.

Conclusion This pilot study demonstrates that modest levels of physical activity can induce significant changes in blood oxygenation across arteries, veins, and the arteriovenous difference. Our results appear to suggest that subjects should be physically rested for at least fifteen minutes before resting retinal oxygenation is assessed.
SD‐OCT study of vitreoretinal traction at the obstruction site in patients diagnosed with branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: ASCASO F , PADGETT E , VILLEN L , NUNEZ E , PEIRO C , CRUZ N , DEL BUEY MA , CRISTOBAL JA
Published: August 2012

Purpose Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) typically occurs at an arteriovenous (AV) crossing site. Vitreoretinal traction migh thave a significant role in some cases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitreoretinal traction at the obstruction site in patients diagnosed with BRVO.

Methods Prospective observational case‐control study. 14 consecutive patients with BRVO were studied and the fellow eyes were taken as a control group. Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) was used to detect vitreous adherence or vitreoretinal traction at the obstruction site.

Results SD‐OCT directed to the obstruction site revealed an adherence of posterior hyaloids without signs of retinal traction in six eyes (42.9%). Five eyes (35.7%) were associated with vitreoretinal traction at this point, and three eyes (21.4%) had neither vitreoretinal adherence nor vitreoretinal traction.Regarding the same vessel segment of the control eyes, only 2 cases (14.3%) presented a vitreoretinal adherence, whereas none of the cases showed a true vitreoretinal traction in the correspondent AV crossing site. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between both groups of eyes in relation to the prevalence of a vitreoretinal traction.

Conclusion The existence of a common vitreoretinal adhesion at the obstruction site in BRVO patients is reported herein, pointing out the role of vitreoretinal traction in the etiology of some cases of BRVO and the important diagnostic capabilities of SD‐OCT and its 3‐D image reconstruction in the detection of this vitreous traction and its association with perivascular edema.
Ozurdex implant in retinal vein occlusions. 3‐months clinical outcomes in the first 17 patients
Authors: VARDARINOS A , EMPESLIDIS T , BANERJEE S
Published: August 2012

Purpose To present the our initial clinical outcomes of dexamethasone 0.7mg intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®) in the first three months after the injection.

Methods Seventeen patients (12 male and 5 female, mean age 64.9y) diagnosed with retinal vein occlusions (RVO) and cystoid macular oedema (CMO) received an Ozurdex injection after baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) was documented. The patients had monthly clinical visits following the injection.

Results Seven patients suffered from central RVO, nine from branch RVO and one patient from hemiretinal RVO. Following the injection of Ozurdex CRT appeared to reduce significantly from a mean of 496.4μm (SD 204.2μm) pre‐injection to a mean of 316.4μm (SD 131.3μm) at 1/12 post‐injection and further to 293.4μm (SD 95.6μm) at 3/12 post‐injection. BCVA was also significantly improved at 1/12 post‐injection and further at 3/12 post‐injection in nine of the patients especially in the nonischemic sub‐groups. Complication rate was relatively low with only four patients having a moderate raise in intraocular pressure managed with topical therapy and one patient suffering a large subconjuctival haemorrhage.

Conclusion Our initial results demonstrate that Ozurdex appears to be a safe and efficient treatment option for RVO related CMO. It provides significant decrease in CRT and anatomical improvement on OCT scans in all types of RVO. Improvement of BCVA is possible but it seems that ischemic damage and chronic CMO have an adverse effect on visual restoration despite anatomical improvement.
Plasma taurine levels in age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: PINNA A , ZINELLU A , TENDAS D , CARRU C
Published: August 2012

Purpose Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in many tissues, including the retina. It is a scavenger of hypochlorite and carbonyl radicals and also inhibits lipid peroxidation. Little is know about the role of taurine in the pathogenesis of AMD. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma levels of taurine in AMD patients and in age‐matched subjects without AMD.

Methods Plasma taurine levels were measured by capillary electrophoresis in 74 AMD patients (mean age: 78±6.7 years) and in 148 controls (mean age: 77±5.3 years), all accrued in September 2011‐March 2012. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann‐Whitney Rank Sum Test.

Results Median taurine was 64.7 (range 28.6‐127.2) µmol/L in AMD patients and 65.8 (range 28.1‐132.3) µmol/L in controls. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion Results suggest that AMD patients may have similar plasma levels of taurine as matched controls without AMD. Should these results be confirmed by larger studies, this would imply that taurine may play a marginal or no role in the pathogenesis of AMD.
Incidence of retinal pigment epithelial tears after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: CHEBIL A , KORT F , BOURAOUI R , CHAKER N , LIMAIEM R , EL MATRI L
Published: August 2012

Purpose To determine the incidence of and the risk factors for the development of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears after intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) for the treatment of exudative AMD.

Methods A retrospective, consecutive case series of all patients with subfoveal exudative AMD treated with IVB between September 2006 and April 2012. The main outcome measures were pre‐ and post‐RPE tear visual acuity and choroidal neovascular membrane lesion types, incidence of tears and time from first injection until development of the tear.

Results A total of 369 patients (643 eyes) with exudative AMD were treated with IVB. 9 eyes from 7 patients developed a RPE tear for an incidence of 1.4%. The average patient age was 62.4+/‐3.9 years. A vascularized PED was present in 7 of 9 eyes that developed an RPE tear. 44.44 per cent of the RPE tears occurred within the first 6 weeks of treatment, and all tears occurred within the first 24 weeks of treatment initiation. The mean pre‐injection visual acuity was +0.6 logMAR with a mean post‐tear visual acuity of +1 logMAR. 4 of the 9 eyes continued with bevacizumab injections after tear development, and 2 of these 4 eyes continued to have visual improvement.

Conclusion RPE tears occur after intravitreal bevacizumab injections for exudative AMD in approximately 1.4% of eyes and can cause severe vision loss. Maintenance of therapy may help preserve quality of vision after RPE tear development.
Protection of blue light induced retinal degeneration by the free radical scavenger Phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone and a serotonin receptor 5‐HT1a agonist in rats
Authors: GRILLO‐ANTONELLI S , CIMBOLINI N , DUBOS H , FERAILLE L , MARGARON P , ELENA P
Published: August 2012

Purpose Blue light exposition of rat retina induces retinal damages that mimic age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), showing severe photoreceptor cell death, apoptosis of RPE cells, and progressive outer nuclear layer destruction due to reactive oxygen species, and therefore providing an useful model to test potential AMD treatments. Here we proposed to compare the protective effects of two compounds, the antioxidant free radical scavenger, Phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone (PBN) and the serotonin receptor 5‐HT1a agonist 8‐Hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propylamino)tetralin, 8‐OH‐DPAT, on photo‐oxidative stress in rat retina.

Methods After a period of dark adaptation, Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to blue light during 6 hours. Animals were divided in three groups: 50 mg/kg PBN injected intraperitoneally on the day of induction, 500µg/kg 8‐OH‐DPAT or NaCl 0.9% subcutaneously injected once a day, starting 2 days before light exposure. Retinal function and anatomical integrity were evaluated by scotopic electroretinography (ERG) and optical coherence tomography, respectively, 1 and 2 weeks after induction. Outer nuclear layer thickness was measured on histological sections harvested 2 weeks after the induction.

Results Significant protection of retina from degeneration was achieved with both compounds, which effectively rescued a wave and b wave amplitudes of ERG responses and preserved photoreceptor layer thickness.

Conclusion The serotonin receptor 5‐HT1a could be a valuable target for AMD and other retinal degenerative diseases.

Commercial interest
Aqueous flare and choroidal thickness in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: STROBBE E , CELLINI M , BALDUCCI N , LATERZA L , BRILLANTI S , CAMPOS EC
Published: August 2012

Purpose To investigate the status of blood‐aqueous barrier and to evaluate the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) in patients with chronic never treated hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection without any anterior or posterior ocular disease.

Methods A total of 80 eyes of 20 naive HCV patients (M:F=12:8; mean age: 46.9±7.23 years) and 20 healthy controls (M:F=10:10; mean age: 48.2±8.71) were examined. Partecipants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination. Aqueous flare was objectively quantified by using the non‐invasive laser flare cell meter FC 1000 (Kowa, Tokyo, Japan), while SCT was evaluated by using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (Spectralis OCT; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH). An unpaired t test with Welch correction was performed to compare flare values and SCT between HCV patients and controls, considering significance a p<0.05 and a Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to assess the relationship between aqueous flare and SCT in HCV subjects.

Results HCV patients showed significantly higher aqueous flare (photon counts/ms) values (8.37±2.25 vs. 4.56±1.45; p=0.0001) and a significant increased SCT (µm) (362.7±46.5 vs. 320.25±32.82; p=0.002) than normal controls. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between aqueous flare values and SCT in HCV patients (r=0,688; p<0.0001).

Conclusion These findings strongly indicate that impairment of the blood‐aqueous barrier and thicker choroids are features of HCV patients even if they have no ocular symptoms, and that choroidal thickness increases as the degree of subclinical inflammation of the anterior chamber increases.
Ocular manifestations of Takayasu arteritis
Authors: BUTEL N , NOEL N , BODAGHI B
Published: August 2012

Purpose Takayasu arteritis is an inflammatory vascular disease of aorta and its branches. Ophthalmologic manifestations can occur up to 68% of patients and can be inaugural. The objective of this series is to describe the typical and atypical ocular manifestations of the disease

Methods Bicentric (Pitié‐Salpêtrière and Lariboisière Hospitals) and multidisciplinary retrospective study conducted between 2004 and 2012, describing ocular manifestations of patients with Takayasu arteritis.

Results Seven patients, 3 men and 4 women, were included. Mean age was 51(range:31‐70 years). Five patients had previously a confirmed diagnosis of Takayasu (71% type V) and 2 presented with inaugural ocular involvement. Most of the patients were asymptomatic(42%). We identified 5 typical manifestations , including 3 Takayasu retinopathy (42%),1 hypertensive retinopathy(15%) and 1 mixed retinopathy (15%). Atypical manifestations included a bilateral central retinal artery occlusion, a branch retinal vein occlusion and a transient monocular blindness. Treatment consisted of systemic administration of corticosteroids and immunosuppressors, symptomatic and secondary preventive therapy (laser photocoagulation on ischemic areas). Takayasu arteritis causes various ophthalmic manifestations such as traditional hypoperfusion retinopathy and hypertensive retinopathy. Atypical cases have been described, such as venous or arterial occlusions, ischemic neuropathy, and for the first time in our series a case of inaugural bilateral central retinal artery occlusion.

Conclusion Takayasu arteritis should be considered in young patients with atypical vascular or inflammatory retinal manifestations. Collaboration with internists is mandatory in order to diagnose systemic involvement and propose the best therapeutic approach.
Acute worsening of retinal lesions during oral steroid treatement in a case of intracular lymphoma
Authors: BAZEWICZ M , PION B , LAHDA R , BRON D , MAKHOUL D , DE SAINT HAUBAIN N , DEHOU MF , CASPERS L , WILLERMAIN F
Published: August 2012

Purpose Diagnosis and treatment of intraocular lymphoma remains a clinical challenge. Herein, we present a complicated case in which the diagnosis was made after the acute worsening of retinal lesions during oral steroid treatement.

Methods A 49 year old woman complaning of progessive visual acuity decrease was referred with visual acuity of hand movements in the right eye accompanied by vitritis and two peripheral white retinal lesions with vasculitis. Futher examinations excluded the diagnosis of the main causes of infectious and non infectious uveitis and pathological examination of vitreous cells was not compatible with the diagnosis of lymphoma.

Results Systemic steroid treatment were given with an initial improvement of the inflammatory conditions. However, a week later an acute worsening of the retinal lesions occured, taking the appearence of a very severe retinal necrosis. Another vitrectomy was thus performed to exclude again infectious causes but was negative for virus and toxo. Finally, the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma was made on a 3rd diagnostic vitrectomy with retinal biopsy. The patient was treated with a series of intravitreous methotrexate injections followed by chemo‐ and radiotherapy.

Conclusion Systemic administration of corticosteroids in patient with intraocular B lymphoma may lead to dramatic lesion extention preceeded by temporal clinical stabilisation or improvement.
Werner syndrome accompanied with refractory CME and WRN proteins expression in human retinas
Authors: OSHITARI T , KITAHASHI M , MIZUNO S , BABA T , KUBOTA‐TANIAI M , ROY S , YAMAMOTO S
Published: August 2012

Purpose To present a case of Werner syndrome accompanied with refractory cystoid macular edema (CME), and analyze the expression and the distribution of WRN proteins in human retinas.

Methods A 35‐year‐old individual with Werner syndrome exhibited CME after YAG laser treatment. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were indicative of CME in the right eye. The patient received topical eye drops (0.1% bromfenac sodium hydrate twice daily and 1% dorzolamide hydrochloride thrice daily), sub‐Tenon triamcinolone injection thrice, intravitreal bevacizumab injection twice, and pars plana vitrectomy in the right eye. Genetic analyses were performed to conduct diagnosis of the individual. To examine the expression and distribution of WRN proteins in the retinas, immunohistochemistry for WRN proteins in human retinas was performed.

Results CME in the right eye could not be improved by any of the treatment. During the follow‐up period, CME developed in the left eye. Genetic analyses detected compound heterozygosity of Mut4 and Mut11 in WRN gene and the individual was diagnosed with Werner syndrome. Immunohistochemical analysis of WRN proteins expression in human retinas indicated that WRN proteins were expressed in Müller cells of the inner nuclear layer and the outer nuclear layer.

Conclusion Patients with Werner syndrome may develop severe CME. A pathological link may exist between the potential mutation in WRN gene and the development of CME in patients with Werner syndrome.
Effect of hemodialysis on the ophthalmologic findings in chronic renal failure patients
Authors: CHIN H , JUNG J
Published: August 2012

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the short‐term changes in the ophthalmologic findings including retinal thicness measured by SD‐OCT after HD.

Methods Thirty eyes of 30 patients with chronic renal failure(CRF) undergoing HD were analyzed. The subjects were categorized into two groups according to the cause of CRF. Detailed ophthalmologic examinations were performed immediately before and after HD. The relationships between the systemic hemodynamic changes and the ophthalmologic changes during a single HD session were evaluated.

Results The mean intraocular pressure decreased after HD with a mean decrease of 2.4±2.1 mmHg and the central corneal thickness decreased with a mean change of 6.9±5.4 μm. After HD, the ocular surface changed significantly; the tear break‐up time and basal tear secretion (Schirmer's test) decreased, whereas the keratoepitheliopathy score increased. The macular thickness measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography decreased after HD. The mean decrease in the central subfield thickness was 7.4±9.9 μm. The ocular surface changes after HD affected the visual acuity and examination quality. A significant correlation was found between the changes in the systemic hemodynamic parameters and those in the ophthalmologic findings, except for the retinal thickness.

Conclusion HD can affect the ophthalmologic findings in a short period of time. These changes correlated with the increase in plasma colloid osmotic pressure. In addition, for good examination quality, it is recommended that an ophthalmologic examination in CRF patients be performed on a non‐dialysis day or prior to HD on a dialysis day.
High‐altitude retinopathy
Authors: RUSSO A , AGARD E , BLEIN JP , EL CHEHAB H , RACT‐MADOUX G , SWALDUZ B , DOT C
Published: August 2012

Purpose To report the clinical characteristics of 3 cases of high altitude retinopathy (HAR) and a review of the literature.

Methods We report 3 cases of patients consulting for HAR after high trekking above 7000m.

Results Patient 1 was a 27 years‐old man, high level sportsman, coming back from a GASNERBRUM expedition (7600m) and complaining of right eye central scotoma. Fundus examination revealed 2 haemorrhages : one next the fovea and one on the temporal arcade vessel. Patient 2 was a 52 years‐old man, high mountain guide, coming back from EVERSEST ascent (8000m) and complaining of left eye central scotoma and visual acuity deficit. Fundus examination found one parafoveal haemorrhage in the left eye and paramacular haemorrhages in the right eye. Patient 3 was a young 25 years‐old military doctor coming back from a high altitude expedition (7000m), he was complaining of right eye central scotoma during the descent and headache. Fundus examination found three macular haemorrhages and one on the inferior temporal arcade vessel. Only one of the three patients presented other symptomes of high altitude illness. All of us presented a positive outcome with complete functional and anatomical resolution of HAR, less than 2 month, without sequela.

Conclusion The real incidence and physiopathology of HAR are not very well known. Retinal haemorrhages after a high trekking are an early manifestation of HAR and more generally high altitude illness. It usually occurs at altitudes above 4000m. While macular involvement or retinal vein occlusion may result in permanent visual acuity deficit, these haemorrhages are generally asymptomatic and spontaneous regressive.
Experimental study of the effect of femtosecond laser radiation on eye fundus and sclera morphology
Authors: ZADOROZHNYY O , PASYECHNIKOVA N , KOROL A
Published: August 2012

Purpose To study the macro‐ and microscopic changes in the structures of fundus and sclera in the experiment after exposure of femtosecond laser radiation with a wavelength of 800 nm.

Methods As a source of laser radiation we used Ti: sapphire laser oscillator «Coherent», which allows to obtain a sequence of pulses of duration 130 fs and a repetition frequency of 76 MHz (wavelength ‐ 800 nm) and femtosecond regenerative amplifier Legend F‐1K‐HE, which provides a pulse frequency of 1 kHz, lasting no more than 130 fs and an energy of about 2.5 mJ. In th study of eye tissues after femtosecond laser exposure was carried out on enucleated porcine and bovine eye

Results After exposure of the laser radiation with 76 MHz frequency were revealed destruction of the photoreceptor layer, the layer of retinal pigment epithelium and endothelium of blood vessels in the retina. Observed the effect of coagulation. When using the laser frequency of 1 kHz are marked changes in the fundus structures associated only with the cavitation effect of the laser. After the femtosecond laser damage to the sclera have been reported the formation of a defect of the sclera, full thickness homogenization of the collagen fibers of the sclera, the disappearance of cells, destruction of pigment cells of uveal tract and retinal pigment epithelium.

Conclusion During 130 fs laser using with 800 nm wavelength and high pulse frequency (76 MHz) marked cavitation effect in the tissues and thermal damage of retinal structures, mainly photoreceptor layer and retinal pigment epithelium. After laser radiation with low frequency (1 kHz) using dominates the mechanical cavitation effects on retinal and scleral structures.
An unusual case of visual disturbance in a young boy
Authors: PEFKIANAKI M , MICHAELIDES M
Published: August 2012

Purpose To describe an unusual case of visual disturbance in a young boy.

Methods A 14‐year‐old boy described a 3 week history of blurred vision in his right eye. He was otherwise fit and well and on no regular medication with no family history of ophthalmic disease. There was no history of drug taking, sun gazing or eclipse viewing. Best‐corrected visual acuity was 6/9.5 right eye,6/5 left eye and on Amsler grid testing there was evidence of right central distortion. Ocular examination revealed a right foveal yellow deposit; otherwise dilated fundoscopy was unremarkable. Autofluorescence imaging was within normal limits. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography, revealed a focal disruption of the junction between the foveal photoreceptor inner segments and outer segments with a central sub‐retinal deposit in the right eye. Electrophysiological assessment revealed no evidence of generalised retinal dysfunction or significant macular dysfunction. Multifocal electroretinography was suggestive of very mild localised inferior macular dysfunction bilaterally.

Results The patient has been reviewed a year later and found to have improved visual acuity with 6/5 in both eyes. OCT findings are unchanged.

Conclusion The OCT can detect significant foveal changes in the majority of affected eyes with a characteristic outer retinal defect. OCT can improves the diagnosis and assessment of the degree and nature of foveal damage in patients with solar retinopathy and may be an important tool in identifying foveal damage not detected by standard fluorescein angiography. Nevertheless, the underlying aetiology of the unilateral abnormality detected in this child remains uncertain.
Peripheral exudative haemorrhagic chorioretinopathy complicated with acute onset of visual loss
Authors: KABANAROU SA , FOTIOU P , ROUVAS AA , GEORGIADIS OP , XIROU T
Published: August 2012

Purpose To report a case of unilateral peripheral exudative haemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) complicated with acute onset of visual loss.

Methods A 64‐year‐old female presented with a one week history of sudden onset of visual loss in her left eye. There was no other relevant medical or family history. Best corrected Snellen visual acuity (BCVA) was documented and full ophthalmic examination was performed.

Results BCVA was 1.0 in her right eye and hand movements in the left eye. Complete ophthalmic examination of her right eye was normal. Anterior segment examination of her left eye was unremarkable. There was no view of her left fundus. B‐scan ultrasonography revealed vitreous haemorrhage with no evidence of retinal detachment. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed few weeks later. At follow up examination fundoscopy revealed extensive subretinal and sub‐RPE haemorrhage in the retinal periphery temporal to the macula. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) revealed patchy blockage of the background choroidal fluorescence corresponding to the suretinal/sub‐RPE haemorrhage. Indocyanine green angiography revealed no further pathology. Visual acuity was finally improved to 1.0 and disciform retinal degeneration was documented at the temporal periphery. Seventeen months later the patient remained stable.

Conclusion PEHCR is a haemorrhagic retinal degenerative process, which can be complicated with vitreous haemorrhage and sudden visual loss. Differential diagnosis from choroidal melanoma or other vascular lesion is of major importance.
Early reactional hyperplasia and neuronal differentiation of the ciliary epithelium (CE) in experimental retinal detachment (RD) with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in the porcine eye
Authors: BOSCHER C , DUCOURNAU Y , GUILLAUBEY C , BOSSARD C , SCHMIDT MORAND D , GAUTHIER O , LAVAL A , HOLOPHERNE D , DUCOURNAU D , PACELLA E
Published: August 2012

Purpose Rare quiescent retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) have been isolated in the adult mammalian (including human) CE. We have reported a CE proliferation with retinal neuronal and photoreceptor cell (rhodopsin+) differentiation in three human eyes eviscerated for longstanding RD and PVR. The CE strongly expressed EGFR. We have hypothezised that the disease RD and PVR might stimulate a dormant population of RPCs in the CE in presence of a niche constituted by EGF. The aim of the present work was to study the CE in the porcine eye with experimental DR and PVR.

Methods Two porcine eyes with experimental surgical RD and PVR enucleated at Day 15 and Day 35 were studied with light microscopy and immunocytochemistry with antibodies against EGFR, Ki67, CD133, NSE, rhodopsin, GFAP. The fellow porcine eyes, one non operated porcine eye, and one human eye exenterated for orbital tumor served as controls

Results Wwe observed in the CE of both porcine eyes a discrete hyperplasia of the non pigmented CE with an overexpression of EGFR and an expression of NSE. All CE controls were negative for NSE. Ki 67, CD133, GFAP and rhodopsin were negative in the CE of the eyes with RD and of the control eyes

Conclusion The CE of the porcine eye in vivo with shorter duration experimental RD and PVR showed hyperplasia with neuronal differentiation, in presence of an overexpression of EGFR, as in the human eye with longer duration RD. Photoreceptor differentiation was not observed in the porcine CE at this stage.
Ocular sarcoidosis: when should labial salivary gland biopsy be performed ?
Authors: RAHMI A , BERNARD C , SEVE P , BANCEL B , ISAAC S , BROUSSOLLE C , DENIS P , KODJIKIAN L
Published: August 2012

Purpose To assess the usefulness of a labial salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) in subsets of patients with uveitis.

Methods A retrospective study of 116 consecutive patients with uveitis for whom a LSGB had been done because of suspected ocular sarcoidosis (n=87) or unexplained uveitis (n=29). Eighty six patients had a suspicion of ocular sarcoidosis because of ocular features (n=67), an elevated angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) (n=30) or because of CT findings (n=33) suggestive of sarcoidosis. The biopsy results were analyzed together with their ophthalmological features and the results of other relevant examinations, such as the serum levels of ACE and a chest radiography or a CT scan.

Results Six of the 116 patients (5.2%) with uveitis had sarcoid granulomas on the LSGB. At the end of the study, 32 patients had proven sarcoidois while 23 patients were considered as having either indeterminate or presumed sarcoidosis, according to the criteria of Abad et al. A raised ACE (p=0.033) and a compatible radiology (p=0.019) were related to a positive LSGB test but not to the features of uveitis. Granulomas were only found in the LSGB of the patients with an elevated ACE or compatible CT scans.

Conclusion In this study, the LSGB sensitivity (18.75%) in the patients with proven sarcoidosis appears to be lower than in other reports. Our results suggest that this investigation should be limited to the patients with a raised ACE and/or CT scans pattern compatible with sarcoidosis and should not be performed in patients with unexplained uveitis or because of ophthalmological features.
Cationic amino acid transport activity and detection of B‐defensin‐1 in canine lens epithelial cells
Authors: OCHIAI H
Published: August 2012

Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the cationic amino acid transport activity in canine lens epithelial cells line (cdLEC).B‐defensins are small cationic peptides possessing a broad range of antimicrobial and physiological activities. The mucosal physical barrier is an important component protecting luminal surfaces from bacteria. Expression of B‐defensins was also examined.

Methods Na‐independence of arginine transport activity was measured, and N‐ethylmaleimide (NEM)‐sensitive uptake of arginine was investigated. cDNA sequence of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) was determined based on human and mouse CAT1 sequences. RT‐PCR analysis of B‐defensins was carried out.

Results NEM‐sensitive component of arginine uptake was detected. cDNA sequence of CAT1 was determined from the cdLEC. The sequence was 2589 bp long and was predicted to encode the 629 amino acid polypeptides. The deduced amino acid sequence showed similarities of 92.1% and 88.6% to those of human and mouse, respectively. Western blot analysis indicated the single band at 70 kDa in membrane protein sample of cdLEC. RT‐PCR analysis confirmed that CAT1 was ubiquitously detected in all tissues examined. Among the B‐defensins, B‐defensin‐1 but not ‐2 and ‐3 were observed in cdLECs and primary culture of lens epithelial cells.

Conclusion Lens epithelial cells possess CAT1, and CAT1 may provide substrates for synthesis of B‐defensin‐1.
The lipids of lens in the aging and in cataractogenesis
Authors: KUDRYAVTSEVA Y , CHUPROV A , IVANOVA I
Published: August 2012

Purpose to study influence of lens's lipids on its optical properties

Methods 40 patients at the age from 60 to 90, with cataract were examined. The lens tissue after phacoemulsification was investigated. The cataract maturity, color characteristics of lens were estimated. Laboratory researches of crystalline lens' tissue were included: researching of lipid peroxidation's level; studying of lipid peroxidation's products; researching of the higher fatty acids' composition

Results Concentration of the free oxidations' primary and secondary products were gradually decreased in about 5 times with the age. The finite products of the free oxidations had a similar tendency. The chemiluminescence level also was decreasing during the period from 50 to 70 years. In contrast to the other groups in 80 years slight increase of lipid peroxidations processes in comparison with group of 70 years, except for malonic dialdehyde was observed. When the cataract was developing in the changes of the free‐radical oxidation had differences: at initial changes in lens there was a sharp intensification of free‐radical activity and then the level of lipid peroxidation was on the high level. The polyunsaturated fatty acids and the palmitic acid had max percent of content in lens, the min – lauric and linolenic. The content of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was approximately identical. When cataract was developing the composition of the higher fatty acids was changing considerably: the content of palmitic acid was increasing, the correlation factor was 0.52(R<0.05); the content of linoleic acid was decreasing, the correlation factor was ‐0.6(R<0,05)

Conclusion The differences between the lipid peroxidation in the aging and the lipid peroxidation in cataractogenesis were revealed
Age‐related oxidation of lipids and proteins in rats' crystalline lens
Authors: KUDRYAVTSEVA Y , CHUPROV A , IVANOVA I
Published: August 2012

Purpose estimation and comparison of age‐related intensity of oxidation of lipids and proteins of rats' crystalline lens

Methods Experiments are carried out on 25 Wistar line rats males of four age groups: 5 (n=6), 12 (n=7), 24 (n=6) and 36 (n=6) of months. Homogenate of crystalline lens tissue was used. The level of the general lipids, the contents of diene and triene conjugates, level of the Schiff bases and TBA‐test were estimated. The received results were rated to amount of lipids and expressed in relative units. Extent of oxidizing proteins modification, the content of the general protein was defined. The level of oxidizing proteins modification was rated to amount of proteins. Potential possibility of oxidation was estimated by method of the induced chemiluminescence with use of Fenton's reaction

Results In adult animals' crystalline lenses (12 months) the raised level of products of lipids oxidation was observed. Then, the level of trienic conjugates were decreasing in the interval of 12‐24 months. The comparative content of carbonyl derivative of proteins had tendency to decrease with age. At groups of age 12, 24 and 36 months in comparison with group of 5 months were determined the decrease of the hemiluminescence level. It corresponds to decrease of level of the medium for free radical oxidation

Conclusion On the basis of results, we can assume that, together with the intermolecular interaction of proteins with each other and with low‐molecular metabolites, the free‐radical processes of lipids proceeding on membranes, also contributes to formation of age‐related changes of lens in rats