Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new and non-invasive imaging technique that is able to detect blood flow signal in the retina and the choroid within seconds. OCTA is different from the traditional angiography methods. The major advantages of OCTA are that it can observe blood flow signal in different layers of the retina and the choroid without injecting any dye, provide blood flow information that traditional angiography cannot provide, and enrich pathophysiological knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases., which help us to make an accurate diagnosis and efficient evaluation of these diseases. However there is a large upgrade potential either on OCTA technique itself or on clinical application of OCTA. We need to fully understand the advantage and disadvantage, and differences of OCTA and traditional angiography. We also need to know how to interpret the result of OCTA. With that we could make a fast diagnosis in a non-invasive way and improve our knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases.
ObjectiveTo observe the characteristic of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT) in patients with multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS). MethodsThe clinical data of 10 patients (10 eyes)with MEWDS were included in the study. 10 normal subjects with matched age, gender and ocular refractive status was selected as control. The patients including 9 females (9 eyes) and 1 male (1 eye), with the average age of (27±8) years. The onset time ranged from 5 to 14 days. The patients were in acute phase if it was in 2 weeks after onset, or convalescent phase if onset was 8 weeks ago. The corrected vision, slit lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscope, fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed alone or combined in all patients. The SFCT between the acute and convalescent phases were measured using enhanced depth imaging OCT. The average follow-up was 5 months. The OCT characteristics of affected eyes between acute and convalescent phase were compared. The SFCT of the affected eyes and fellow eye were compared. ResultsThe foveal inner segment-outer segment (IS/OS) was disrupted, thin, irregular in the acute phase, and restored in the convalescent phase. The SFCT of patients in the acute phase was (239±140.7) μm, in the convalescent phase was (189.9±115.6) μm. The SFCT in the acute phase was more thicker than the convalescent phase (t=5.287, P < 0.05). The SFCT of fellow eyes in the acute phase was (214.6±127.2) μm, in the convalescent phase was (186.5±108.6) μm, the difference was significant(t=3.553, P < 0.05).The SFCT in the control subject was (155.5±83.5) μm. The SFCT in the acute phase was thicker than the control(Z=-2.117, P < 0.05). ConclusionsIn the acute phase of MEWDS, the foveal IS/OS was disrupted, thin and irregular in OCT scan. The choroid is thicker in the acute phase than in the convalescent phase in both eyes, and thicker than controls.
Choroidal nevus is one of the most common benign melanocytic tumor. The prevalence rate of choroidal nevi is 0.15% - 10.00%, which is high among whites and low among colored people, and is obvious higher in male than that in female. Secondary changes in the surrounding retina of the benign tumor, such as subretinal fluid and choroidal neovascularization, may result in vision loss. This benign tumor carries risks for transformation into malignant melanoma. The factors predictive of transformation into melanoma included greater thickness, subretinal fluid, visual symptoms, orange lipofuscin pigment, tumor location (tumor margin near optic disc), ultrasonography hollowness and absence of halo. Early identification of the related features which impair visual acuity is important for early treatment and better prognosis, and it is especially important to monitor the tendency of malignant transformation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could provide detailed information which aid in diagnosing, differentiating and monitoring of choroidal nevi. OCT and optical coherence tomography angiography are emerging as excellent techniques to investigate choroidal melanocytic lesions. The treatment modalities, such as laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelium growth factor, have been proved to be effective for choroidal nevi with secondary changes. In the future, the relevant researches should be imposed to provide more detailed information in order to explore the nature and characteristics of this disease.
Replacement therapy of stem cells transplantation represents a potential treatment for neural retinal diseases. Despite the encouraging results in laboratory, the clinical application of cells replacement therapy is still difficult because the limitation of seed cells, immunologic rejection, oncogenicity and ethical problems, etc. Recent breakthrough in somatic reprogramming provides a promising solution overcoming these obstacles. Further researches on virus free reprogramming will make the clinical application of stem cell replacement therapy possible.
The pathogenesis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is still controversial. More evidence of clinical and basic research is needed to distinguish PCV from an independent disease to a subtype of age-related macular degeneration. Not only that, there are also many puzzles in the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis of PCV. In addition to these common problems, we also face a large population with risk factors, a large number of PCV patients with multiple and complex challenges in China. There is a long way to go to reduce the damage effects of PCV on visual function. To fulfil this goal, we need make full use of the huge resources of PCV patients and turn these challenges into opportunities, and contribute the improvement of diagnosis and better understanding of PCV pathogenesis.
Objective To compare the characteristics of fundus angiograms of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with exudative agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in patients more than 45. Methods The colorized photographs of ocular fundus, and results of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) of 32 patients (39 eyes) with CSC and 20 patients (22 eyes) with exudative AMD more than 45 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results In 39 eyes with CSC, the results of FFA revealed classic CSC in 11 (28.2%) and diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) in 28 (71.8%); the results of ICGA showed localized choroidal delayed filling associated with dilated vessels in 39 (100%) in the early phase, choroidal hyperpermeability in 39 (100%), identifiable hyperfluorescence of leakage from RPE in 16 (41.0%) was observed in the middle phase, and a distinctive silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels in 5 (12.8%) was detected in the late phase. In 22 eyes with exudative AMD without evident hemorrage, the results of ICGA exhibited focal CNV in 13 (59.1%), plaque CNV in 8 (36.4%), and combination CNV in 1 (4.5%);choroidal delayed filling around macular region vicariously was found in 5 (22.7%) in the early phase, choroidal hyperpermeability was not observed in the middle phase and silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels was not showed in the late phase. Conclusions The differences of the ICGA features between CSC and exudative AMD in patients more than 45 include focal or multifocal hyperfluorescence of leakage from RPE, multifocal choroidal hyperpermeability in the middle phase, silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels in the late phase, and no focal or plaque CNV.
Objective To observe the characteristics of spectraldomain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).Methods Seven-three eyes of 67 patients with CSC diagnosed by slit-lamp microscopy, fundus photochromy, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography were enrolled in this study. All the patients were examined for FAF and SD-OCT. The patients were divided into acute CSC group (37 patients, 37 eyes) and chronic CSC group (30 patients,36 eyes) according to the clinical features and FFA images. According to the OCT feature in retinal detachment area, they were divided into three categories, which including intact, non-intact and atrophy outer segment, respectively. According to the FAF characteristics, they were divided into hyper-FAF, hypo-FAF and mixed type, respectively. The characteristics of SD-OCT and FAF of both acute and chronic CSC patients were evaluated and analyzed. Results In acute CSC group, 19 eyes (51.35%) were hypo-FAF, 18 eyes (48.65%) were hyper-FAF. In chronic CSC group, two eyes (5.56%) were hypo-FAF, 16 eyes (44.44%) were hyper-FAF, and 18 eyes (50.00%) were mixed type. There was significant difference between both groups (chi;2=31.872,P=0.000). The SD-OCT results showed that in acute group, 15 eyes (40.54%) were intact outer segment, 18 eyes (48.65%) were non-intact outer segment, and four eyes (10.81%) were atrophy outer segment. In chronic group, five eyes (13.89%) were intact outer segment, 17 eyes (47.22%) were non-intact outer segment, and 14 eyes (38.89%) were atrophy outer segment. There was significant difference between both groups (chi;2=10.572,P=0.005). Conclusions The FAF characteristics of acute and chronic CSC mainly manifests hypo-FAF and mixed type, respectively. The OCT characteristics of acute CSC mainly manifests intact outer segment and non-intact outer segment, but non-intact outer segment and atrophy outer segment in chronic CSC.
OCT angiography (OCTA) is a fast, noninvasive and quantifiable new technique, which is especially suitable for long-term follow-up in patients with hereditary retinochoroidal degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, adult onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy, choroideremia and Stargardt disease. During the follow-up, clinicians can find the subtle signs that explain disease development from the blood flow imaging, quantitatively describe the vascular density, timely detect and treat choroidal neovascularization. It is significant to explore the etiology and monitor the course of these diseases. With the development of more treatments for these diseases, OCTA parameters can also be used as indicators to evaluate and compare different therapeutic effects. In the future, more quantitative indicators of OCTA will be applied to evaluate the course of hereditary retinochoroidal degeneration, and provide valuable basis for early diagnosis and treatment.
PURPOSE:To inquire into diagnosis and differentiation method for full thickness macular hole,lamellar macular hole and cystoid macular degeneration. METHODS:Amsler grid,Watzke' s sign and laser aiming beam test were performed in the patients:30 with full-thickness macular hole, 12 with lamellar macular hole and 8 with cystoid macular degeneration. The results were analyzed statistically with method of four table precise probability. RESULTS:The positive rate of Amsler grid,watzke's sign and laser aiming beam test was 100% in ail of the full thickness macular holes,and it was 85%,65%and 0 in lamellar macular holes and cystoid macular degeneration respectively. CONCLUSION: Amsler grid testing was sensitive but not specific,Watzke's sign was more sensitive and specific,and the laser aiming beam tesl was extremely sensitive and specific in clinical diagnosis of full thickness macular hole. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 208-210)
Objective To observe the characteristics of changes of 24hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate of 50 patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). Methods Fifty patients with AION and the persons without in the control group, which had the same number, gender and age as the patients with AION, underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate measurement. Results Both groups had no difference in mean blood pressure and heart rate during the daytime (t=1.25,0.93; P>0.05), higher than those in the nighttime (t=3.63,3.16; P<0.05). Mean blood pressure and heart rate of AION group at night were lower than those of the control group (t=3.82,1.77; P<0.01,0.05), especially diastolic pressure of AION group was lower than that of the control group from 2 am to 7 am (P<0.01), as well as the heart rate from 2 am to 5 am (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The curves of blood pressure of AION group showed more gradual and fluctuant rising, while those of the control group showed sharper and less fluctuant rising. Conclusion According to the curves of blood pressure rising, the patients with AION may have some defects in auto-regulatory mechanism of blood pressure. The low spots of blood pressure and heart rate in early morning, which might be a critical point leading to AION. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 259-261)