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Abstract This study investigated aniseikonia after reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RFPDT) for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). We examined 48 eyes of 48 patients (38 men; mean age, 49.2 ± 9.9 years) with CSC resolved after RFPDT. Horizontal and vertical aniseikonia were measured using the New Aniseikonia Test at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after RFPDT. The maximum absolute value of the horizontal and vertical measurements indicated the aniseikonia score. The aniseikonia score was 2.2 ± 2.3 at 6 months and 2.2 ± 2.0 at 12 months after RFPDT, both of which improved significantly from the baseline score of 4.1 ± 2.9 (P

Abstract To report the usefulness of intraoperative real-time adjustment of intraocular lens (IOL) tilt during the intrascleral fixation with intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) as a clinical evaluation and investigate the factors contributing to IOL tilt using iOCT as an experimental evaluation. Retrospective cohort study and experimental research. As a clinical evaluation, the medical records of 43 eyes of 41 patients who underwent intrascleral IOL fixation combined with real-time iOCT observation were retrospectively reviewed. As an experimental evaluation, in order to investigate the factors contributing to IOL tilt, the four experiments were performed using iOCT. The mean IOL tilt angle (°) at the end of surgery and 3 months after surgery were 1.81 ± 1.15 and 2.10 ± 1.66, respectively (p = 0.46). No apparent intra- or postoperative complications occurred during the follow-up period. The experimental evaluation indicated that the IOL tilt was influenced by the insertion angle of the haptic in the vertical direction. The mean IOL tilt angle (°) was 1.94 ± 0.09, 4.67 ± 0.11, 8.90 ± 0.11, and 15.78 ± 0.85 when the insertion angle of the haptic was 0°, 10°, 27.5°, and 45° in the vertical direction, respectively (p

Conclusion: Removing foveal sub-ILM hemorrhage without peeling the foveal ILM can be a viable treatment option to preserve the foveal ILM.

Abstract Laser therapy is the most effective treatment considered for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We compared the foveal morphology of the retina in eyes with a history of ROP to that of full-term children. This cross-sectional comparative study included 74 patients with a history of ROP, aged 4–6 years. Among them, 41 underwent laser treatment for ROP. The clinical findings and retinal morphology in these patients were compared to that of 33 patients who had spontaneous ROP regression and 30 age-matched full-term controls. All the patients with ROP had 20/40 or better best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The foveal thickness was significantly thicker in laser-treated ROP eyes than in regressed ROP eyes and controls. The outer nuclear layer was significantly thicker, and the inner segment (IS) of the photoreceptors and the inner retinal layer were significantly thicker in the laser-treated ROP eyes than that in the control eyes. In the patients with ROP and controls, better BCVA was associated positively with deeper foveal depression, which was associated with a later gestational age. Our results suggest that prematurity and laser treatment affect the foveal morphology and BCVA.

Abstract To investigate the incidence and risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including geographic atrophy (GA) and macular neovascularization (MNV), in eyes with drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment (PED). Eighty-five eyes with drusenoid PED from 85 patients (77.2 ± 7.0 years, male/female: 44/41) were included in this study. Patients were followed up every 1–3 months via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and color fundus photography. If exudation was observed on SD-OCT, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were performed to confirm the MNV subtype accordingly. The maximum follow-up period was 60 months. During the study period, GA developed in 8 eyes while MNV also developed in 8 eyes. The Kaplan–Meier estimator revealed that the cumulative incidence for 60 months was 17.9% and 12.2% for GA and MNV, respectively. In eyes developing MNV, retinal angiomatous proliferation was the most common. Cox regression analysis revealed that baseline PED width was the only factor associated with advanced AMD. (p = 0.0026, Cox regression analysis). The 5-year cumulative incidence of advanced AMD, including GA and MNV, was approximately 30% in eyes with drusenoid PED among the Japanese elderly. A larger baseline PED width was the only risk factor for advanced AMD.

PurposeTo compare the two-year outcome of half-time photodynamic therapy (htPDT) in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) with and without choroidal neovascularization (CNV).MethodsIn this retrospective study, we included 88 eyes of 88 patients with cCSC who underwent htPDT and were followed up for more than 24 months. Patients were divided into two groups with (21 eyes) or without (67 eyes) CNV before htPDT treatment. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), and the presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after PDT.ResultsA significant intergroup difference was noted in terms of age (P = 0.038). Significant improvements in the BCVA and SCT were found at all time points in eyes without CNV but only at 24 months in eyes with CNV. CRT was significantly reduced in both groups at all time points. No significant intergroup differences were noted in terms of BCVA, SCT and CRT at all time points. There were significant differences in the rate of recurrent and persistent SRF between groups (22.4% (without CNV) vs. 52.4% (with CNV), P = 0.013, and 26.9% (without CNV) vs. 57.1% (with CNV), P = 0.017, respectively). The presence of CNV was significantly associated with the recurrence and persistence of SRF after initial PDT (P = 0.007 and 0.028, respectively). Logistic regression analyses showed that the baseline BCVA, and not the presence of CNV, was significantly associated with BCVA at 24 months after initial PDT (P < 0.01).ConclusionsA htPDT for cCSC was less effective in eyes with CNV than in those without CNV regarding the recurrence and persistence of SRF. Additional treatment might be required in eyes with CNV during 24-month follow-up periods.

Abstract To demonstrate the long-term effect of cystotomy with or without fibrinogen clot removal for treatment-resistant cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Retrospective clinical study. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 22 eyes of 22 patients with treatment-resistant CME secondary to BRVO with 12 months observation after cystotomy with or without fibrinogen clot removal. Patients included 11 women and 11 men. The mean ± SD age was 72.7 ± 10.2 years. LogMAR-converted best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was statistically better at 12 months after surgery (0.30 ± 0.30) than preoperative BCVA (0.39 ± 0.27) (p = 0.01). The central sensitivity of microperimetry (dB) was maintained during follow-up (preoperative sensitivity: 25.4 ± 4.1, postoperative sensitivity at 12 months after the surgery: 25.9 ± 4.2, p = 0.69). Twelve months after surgery, there was a significant improvement in the central retinal thickness (CRT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) (303.7 ± 80.1) (μm) compared with the preoperative CRT (524.2 ± 114.8) (p

Purpose: To describe angiographic features of a case of delayed-onset retinal vascular occlusion and intraocular inflammation (IOI) following brolucizumab intravitreal injection (IVI). Observations: A 75-year-old woman with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) complained of persistent distorted vision despite 1 aflibercept 2-mg IVI and subsequent 1 brolucizumab 6-mg IVI. At 20 days after brolucizumab IVI, clinical examination showed no signs of IOI, her right best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.0 (Snellen equivalent, 20/20). Simultaneous fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (FA/IA) performed 2 days later showed no abnormalities, but she noticed floaters and decreased vision in her right eye 5–6 hours after FA/IA. At 44 days after brolucizumab IVI, her right BCVA was 0.6 (Snellen equivalent, 20/33), and clinical examination revealed mutton-fat keratic precipitates, anterior chamber cells (2+), vitreous cells, vitreous haze (1+), and sheathed retinal vessels. FA showed filling defect and vascular staining/leakage at several retinal arteries and dye leakage from optic disc edge, where IA demonstrated dye staining as well. However, there was a retinal artery occlusion site which lacks angiographic signs indicative of active retinal vasculitis. The patient was diagnosed with retinal vascular occlusion and IOI which occurred approximately 3 weeks after brolucizumab IVI. Conclusions and importance: Delayed brolucizumab-associated retinal vascular occlusion and IOI can develop from a condition in which no apparent abnormal findings exist on FA/IA. Together with the fact that angiographic signs observed in this case were not severe enough to induce retinal artery occlusion, potent and prolonged vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition by brolucizumab IVI might have caused severe damage to retinal vascular endothelial cells. Then, the damage subsequently led to retinal vascular occlusions and enhanced immune reaction to brolucizumab. The latter would be enhanced through the migration of immune cells towards vitreous cavity being allowed by disrupted inner blood retinal barrier.

PurposeTo investigate the clinical features, treatment options, and visual outcomes of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).DesignA retrospective, observational case series.MethodsSetting: Multicenter institutional setting. Patient Population: A total of 127 patients (127 eyes; 88 men, 39 women; (mean age, 74.2 years)) diagnosed with AMD-associated SMHs exceeding 2 disc diameters involving the fovea. Observation: The AMD types, previous treatments, treatment options, anatomic findings, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were assessed. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical features, treatment options, and visual outcomes of SMHs secondary to nAMD.ResultsThirty-two eyes had typical AMD, 94 eyes polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and one eye retinal angiomatous proliferation. Eighty-five eyes were treatment-naïve; 42 eyes were treated previously: anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy (n = 26), photodynamic therapy (n = 3), and combined therapy (n = 13). Treatment of SMHs included vitrectomy (36 eyes), pneumatic displacement (49 eyes), and anti-VEGF monotherapy (42 eyes). The final BCVA improved significantly in treatment-naïve cases from 0.86 to 0.62 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) unit (Snellen equivalent from 20/145 to 20/83) and from 0.80 to 0.56 (Snellen equivalent from 20/126 to 20/73) in PCV cases. Meanwhile, the BCVA logMAR values improved from 1.15 to 0.75 (Snellen equivalent from 20/283 to 20/112) and from 0.87 to 0.63 (Snellen equivalent from 20/148 to 20/85) in eyes that underwent vitrectomy or pneumatic displacement, respectively. In eyes with BCVAs between 20/133 to 20/40 at SMH onset, the final VA in the pneumatic displacement group was better than in the anti-VEGF monotherapy group. One eye had a retinal detachment and 1 eye had a macular hole in the vitrectomy group, and 5 eyes had a vitreous hemorrhage in the pneumatic displacement group.ConclusionsThe recommended treatment for SMHs secondary to nAMD exceeding 2 disc area and with BCVA below 20/40 is vitrectomy or pneumatic displacement for visual improvement.

PurposeTo evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment trends, and visual prognosis of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM).MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 187 Japanese patients with SMH at 10 institutions from 2015 to 2018. Medical records including SMH etiology, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography images, and selected treatments were analyzed.ResultsMajor causes of SMH were typical nAMD (tnAMD) (18%), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) (50%) and RAM (29%). Age, male/female ratio, baseline BCVA, central retinal thickness, and involved retinal layers were significantly different between etiologies (all PConclusionsThe characteristics of, and treatment strategy for, SMH were different between the underlying diseases. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment with or without expansile gas was mainly chosen for SMH in tnAMD and PCV, whereas vitrectomy with gas was the most common treatment for RAM, and the higher rate for vitrectomy might result in the greater BCVA improvement in the RAM group than in the other groups. Final BCVA was better in PCV, RAM, and tnAMD, in that order, because patients with PCV were younger and had better baseline BCVA.

Background and Objectives: Faricimab is a novel bispecific antibody with Fab regions inhibiting both vascular endothelial growth factor-A and angiopoietin-2. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain short-term outcomes of intravitreal injection of faricimab (IVF) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in daily clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was carried out on consecutive patients with DME who had been treated with IVF and were followed up for at least 1 month. Outcome measures included changes in logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), number of IVF administrations, and safety. Clinical outcomes were also compared between the treatment-naïve and switch groups. Results: A total of 21 consecutive DME eyes from 19 patients were identified. The mean number of IVFs was 1.6 ± 0.8 during the mean follow-up time of 5.5 months. The overall mean logMAR BCVA following IVF was 0.236, 0.204, 0.190, and 0.224 at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, without a significant change from baseline to 1 month (p = 0.176) or for 6 months (p = 0.923). The overall mean CRT (μm) following IVF was 400.6, 346.6, 342.1, and 327.5 at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. CRT significantly decreased from baseline to 1 month (p = 0.001) but did not reach a significant level over 6 months following IVF (p = 0.070). No significant difference in BCVA or CRT was observed between the treatment-naïve and switch groups. No serious safety concerns were noted. Conclusions: IVF for the treatment of DME may preserve visual acuity and improve macular thickness without serious safety concerns in the short term in a real-world clinical setting.

This multicenter retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the 1-year treatment outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). A total of 42 eyes of 42 patients with treatment-naïve PNV who were treated with PDT combined with intravitreal injections of an anti-VEGF agent (ranibizumab or aflibercept) for 1 year. All eyes showed exudative and/or hemorrhagic changes that affected the fovea at baseline. After the initial combination therapy, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were significantly reduced and were maintained as such for 12 months (P < 0.01 in SCT and CRT). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (0.19 ± 0.30 at baseline) significantly improved at 3 months (0.15 ± 0.29, P < 0.05) and further improved at 12 months (0.10 ± 0.30, P < 0.01) when compared to that at baseline. After the initial combination therapy, 32 eyes (76.2%) required no additional treatments for 12 months. The mean number of additional PDT and intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents was 0.1 ± 0.3 and 0.9 ± 1.9, respectively. Of the 42 eyes included in this study, 22 eyes (52.4%) had polypoidal lesions at baseline. No significant differences in SCT, CRT, or BCVA were observed at any time points between eyes with and without polypoidal lesions. Of 20 eyes without polypoidal lesions, only 1 eye (5.0%) needed additional treatments. PNV, especially without polypoidal lesions, can be treated effectively with PDT combined with anti-VEGF therapy with few sessions.

Purpose To investigate clinical factors contributing to metamorphopsia after 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (27GPPV) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) to reveal whether the proximity of the preoperative retinal detachment to the fovea is associated with postoperative metamorphopsia. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 77 eyes of 77 patients after 27GPPV for RRD. Patients were subdivided into three groups using optical coherence tomography findings: Group A, patients with RRD outside the vascular arcade; Group B, patients whose condition was present within the vascular arcade, but without foveal detachment; and Group C, patients with foveal detachment. Results The average metamorphopsia score (°) assessed with M-charts 12 months after surgery was 0.01 ± 0.04 in Group A (24 eyes), 0.08 ± 0.18 in Group B (20 eyes), and 0.49 ± 0.48 in Group C (33 eyes) (pConclusion Metamorphopsia after 27GPPV for RRD correlated with the proximity of the preoperative retinal detachment to the fovea. Attention should be paid to the possibility of postoperative metamorphopsia development when retinal detachment is present within a vascular arcade even if the fovea is not involved.

This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the predictive factors associated with metamorphopsia after reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RFPDT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with good baseline visual acuity. A total of 36 eyes of 36 consecutive patients with resolved CSC after RFPDT and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) better than 1.0 (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) 0) at baseline were examined. Metamorphopsia was measured using M-CHARTS at 12 months after RFPDT. An average of the horizontal and vertical M-CHARTS scores was applied for defining the extent of metamorphopsia. The association between M-CHARTS score at 12 months after RFPDT and clinical parameters (age, sex, duration of symptoms, BCVA, and findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT)) was investigated at baseline or 12 months after RFPDT. The M-CHARTS score at 12 months correlated significantly with duration of symptoms (P = 0.005), baseline outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness (P = 0.009), central foveal thickness (CFT) (P = 0.001) at 12 months, and ONL thickness (P = 0.001) at 12 months after RFPDT. In the multivariate analysis of baseline-related factors, thinner ONL thickness before RFPDT (P = 0.010) was significantly associated with large metamorphopsia at 12 months after RFPDT in CSC patients with good baseline BCVA. Baseline ONL thickness may be a useful predictive factor of metamorphopsia after RFPDT in CSC patients with good baseline BCVA.

Purpose: To report a rare case of bilateral periphlebitis associated with a pineal germinoma. Observations: A 17-year-old male teenager presented at a local clinic complaining of blurred vision in both eyes. The treating physician identified bilateral uveitis, and prescribed the patient with a local steroid treatment. However, the inflammatory findings did not improve with the treatment, and the patient was referred to our hospital for further examination. At the first visit, his best-corrected visual acuities were 0.3 for the right eye and 0.06 for the left eye; we found no inflammation in the anterior ocular segment, but observed bilateral retinal periphlebitis and a proliferative membrane from the papilla to the macula in the ocular fundus. In addition, we found a tractional serous retinal detachment in the macula. We suspected tuberculous uveitis clinically and initiated treatment with an antituberculous drug. However, the condition of the patient did not improve. Two months after our initial examination, left optic neuritis appeared, and we initiated a steroid pulse therapy. Although the periphlebitis remained, the left optic nerve findings and the visual acuity of both eyes improved. Thus, we reduced the oral steroid dose gradually. However, two months after initiating the dose reduction, the patient suffered a consciousness disturbance, and we detected a pineal tumor by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patient was diagnosed as having a germ cell tumor by pathological examination and underwent radiation and chemotherapy. We noted marked improvements in both the periphlebitis findings and in the visual acuity following the treatment for the pineal tumor. Conclusions and importance: Cases of pineal tumor accompanied with retinal periphlebitis have been reported rarely. Because juvenile retinal vasculitis cases of unknown cause can be associated with pineal germinomas, we recommend brain MRI examinations for such cases. Keywords: Vasculitis, Optic neuritis, Pineal tumor, Germinoma

Purpose: To report a case of macular hole (MH) secondary to a retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAMA) which was successfully treated with an autologous transplantation of internal limiting membrane (ILM). Case Report: An 87-year-old female presented with a sudden decrease in central vision in the right eye. A fundus examination revealed a RAMA in the superonasal macular region, a subretinal hemorrhage (SRH), involving the macula, and a sub-ILM hemorrhage. A pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was performed. Intraoperatively, an MH filled with coagulum was detected. We tried to blow off and drain the SRH with a current of BSS and a gentle suction with a 27-gauge vitreous cutter from the MH, but some amount of SRH at the bottom of the MH remained. The ILM was peeled off for 2 disc diameters around the MH. The vitreous cavity was filled with air at the end of the operation. Two weeks after the surgery, the MH was not closed. One month following the initial PPV, a second PPV was performed to achieve closure of the MH. Results: An autologous transplantation of ILM was performed as second PPV. Six months after the final surgery, the MH was successfully closed and the best-corrected decimal visual acuity was 0.6. Conclusions: Autologous ILM transplantation can be an effective treatment option for MH closure following RAMA rupture.

Purpose: To report a case of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy associated with optic disc coloboma. Methods: Case report. Results: A 50-year-old woman presented with optic disc coloboma and retinochoroidal coloboma associated with subretinal hemorrhage and serous retinal detachment (SRD) in her left eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed SRD at the macula and showed a sharply elevated retinal epithelial detachment at the choroidal excavation. OCT also revealed choroidal cavitation along the temporal side of the optic coloboma. Fluorescein angiography showed hyperfluorescent dye leakage and indocyanine green angiography revealed polypoidal lesions. We diagnosed polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). PCV was located at the end of the choroidal cavitation. Her left eye was treated with an intraocular injection of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor aflibercept (2 mg). Photodynamic therapy was performed using the standard protocol 1 week after the intravitreal application of aflibercept. One month after the combined treatment, OCT showed completely resolved SRD and her symptoms disappeared. Her best-corrected visual acuity remained stable and no recurrence was found during a 12-month follow-up period. Conclusion: PCV associated with optic disc coloboma has not been previously reported. The morphological abnormality of choroidal cavitation and choroidal excavation connecting with optic disc coloboma may contribute to the development of PCV in this case.

Abstract We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the outcome of anti-VEGF treatment for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a prospective cohort. Four hundred and sixty-one treatment-naïve AMD patients were recruited at 13 clinical centers and all patients were treated with 3 monthly injections of ranibizumab followed by pro re nata regimen treatment for one year. Genomic DNA was collected from all patients for a 2-stage GWAS on achieving dry macula after the initial treatment, the requirement for an additional treatment, and visual acuity changes during the 12-month observation period. In addition, we evaluated 9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 previously reported AMD-related genes for their associations with treatment outcome. The discovery stage with 256 patients evaluated 8,480,849 SNPs, but no SNPs showed genome-wide level significance in association with treatment outcomes. Although SNPs with P-values of

Purpose: To report a case of temporary bilateral corneal denting in a patient who underwent cardiovascular surgery under general anesthesia. Observations: A 71-year-old male with no history of ophthalmological disease experienced bilateral corneal denting immediately after undergoing surgery for aneurysm of the thoracic aorta under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with rocuronium bromide and remifentanil hydrochloride. The initial examination revealed significant denting on the surface of both the corneas and ocular hypotension. Visual evaluation could not be performed due to the patient's low level of consciousness resulting from delayed emergence from anesthesia. After applying tropicamide and phenylephrine ophthalmic solution for fundus examination, the ocular morphology improved. Ocular pressure was normal on the day after surgery, and creasing on the surface of the corneas had disappeared. Conclusions: and Importance: We experienced a patient with bilateral corneal denting following a cardiovascular surgery under general anesthesia. The dents could be attributed to augmentation of ocular hypotension using several types of anesthesia at relatively high doses. Keywords: General anesthesia, Cornea denting, Complication, Cardiovascular surgery

Purpose. To investigate the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in the eyes of patients with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to identify associated clinical factors. Patients and methods. Overall, 14 children with a history of laser treatment for ROP, 17 children born prematurely without a history of ROP, and 41 age-matched children born at full-term (age range 7–14 years) were included. OCTA was conducted on an area measuring 3 × 3 mm in the central macula. The area of FAZ in the superficial layer was measured. Foveal thickness (FT), ganglion cell complex thickness, and the presence of inner retinal layer (IRL) at the fovea were evaluated. Results. There were significant differences in FT and FAZ size among patients (P

Multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) is an energy-dependent membrane transporter responsible for cellular efflux of a broad range of xenobiotics and physiological substrates. In this trial, we aimed to investigate the coeffects of aging and MRP4 deficiency using gene expression microarray and morphological and electrophysiological analyses of mouse retinas. Mrp4-knockout (null) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were reared in the same conditions to 8–12 weeks (young) or 45–55 weeks (aged). Microarray analysis identified 186 differently expressed genes from the retinas of aged Mrp4-null mice as compared to aged WT mice, and subsequent gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses showed that differently expressed genes were related to lens, eye development, vision and transcellular barrier functions that are involved in metabolic pathways or viral infection pathways. No significant change in thickness was observed for each retinal layer among young/aged WT mice and young/aged Mrp4-null mice. Moreover, immunohistochemical analyses of retinal cell type did not exhibit an overt change in the cellular morphology or distribution among the four age/genotype groups, and the electroretinogram responses showed no significant differences in the amplitude or the latency between aged WT mice and aged Mrp4-null mice. Aging would be an insufficient stress to cause some damage to the retina in the presence of MRP4 deficiency.

This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical factors associated with low-contrast visual acuity after reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RFPDT) in patients with resolved central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and good baseline visual acuity. A total of 45 eyes of 45 patients with resolved CSC at post-RFPDT and best-corrected visual acuity of >1.0 (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution [logMAR], 0) at baseline were examined. Visual acuities of both eyes were measured at four contrast levels (100%, 25%, 12%, and 6%) at post-RFPDT. The low-contrast visual acuity (6%, 12%, and 25%) was significantly lower than the 100% contrast visual acuity in the affected eyes. Visual acuities of affected eyes were significantly worse than those of fellow eyes at any contrast levels. The degree of changes in 6% and 100% contrast visual acuities was significantly greater in affected eyes than that in fellow eyes (p < 0.05). The 6% contrast visual acuities in affected eyes at post-RFPDT were significantly associated with the symptom duration (p < 0.05). Patients with a long duration of symptoms might have disturbed low-contrast visual acuities at post-RFPDT even if their baseline visual acuities were good.

Bacterial endophthalmitis is an intraocular infection that causes rapid vison loss. Pathogens can infect the intraocular space directly (exogenous endophthalmitis (ExE)) or indirectly (endogenous endophthalmitis (EnE)). To identify predictive factors for the visual prognosis of Japanese patients with bacterial endophthalmitis, we retrospectively examined the bacterial endophthalmitis characteristics of 314 Japanese patients and performed statistics using these clinical data. Older patients, with significantly more severe clinical symptoms, were prevalent in the ExE group compared with the EnE group. However, the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was not significantly different between the ExE and EnE groups. Bacteria isolated from patients were not associated with age, sex, or presence of eye symptoms. Genus Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Enterococcus were more prevalent in ExE patients than EnE patients and contributed to poor final BCVA. The presence of eye pain, bacterial identification, and poor BCVA at baseline were risk factors for final visual impairment.

Aim. To compare the anatomic and visual outcomes of 25-gauge (25G), and 27-gauge (27G) transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy (TSV) for the management of primary rhegmatogeneous retinal detachment (RRD). Design. A retrospective nonrandomized clinical trial. Methods. A retrospective comparative analysis of 62 consecutive eyes from 62 patients with 6 months of follow-up was performed. Results. Thirty-two patients underwent 25G TSV, and 30 patients underwent 27G TSV for the treatment of primary RRD. There was no significant difference in baseline demographic and preoperative ocular characteristics between the two groups. The initial and final anatomical success rates were 93.8% and 100% in 25G TSV and 96.7% and 100% in 27G TSV, respectively (p=1 and p=1, resp.). Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (logMAR) was 0.44 ± 0.69 and 0.38 ± 0.61 for 25G and 27G TSV, respectively (p=0.73). The final follow-up BCVA was 0.07 ± 0.25 and −0.02 ± 0.17 for 25G and 27G TSV, respectively (p=0.16). The final BCVA was significantly better than the preoperative BCVA in both groups (p=0.02 and p=0.002, resp.). Preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) (mmHg) was 13.0 ± 3.5 in 25G TSV and 14.3 ± 2.8 in 27G TSV (p=0.11). IOP did not statistically significantly change in both groups during the follow-up period (p=0.63 and p=0.21, resp.). Conclusion. The 27G TSV system is safe and useful for RRD treatment as 25G TSV.

To compare the association of elastin (ELN) gene variants between two different angiographic phenotypes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).We included 411 treatment-naïve PCV patients and 350 controls in the present study. PCV was classified into two phenotypes (152 Type 1 and 259 Type 2) according to the presence or absence of feeding vessels found in indocyanine-green angiography. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ELN region including rs868005, rs884843, rs2301995, rs13239907 and rs2856728 were genotyped using TaqMan Genotyping Assays.In the allelic association analyses, rs868005 showed the strongest association with Type 2 PCV (allelic odds ratio 1.56; p = 7.4x10(-6)), while no SNP was significantly associated with Type 1 PCV. Genotype association analyses revealed the significant association of rs868005 with Type 2 PCV in log additive model and predominant model (odds ratio 1.75; p = 1.5x10(-6) and odds ratio 1.60; p = 0.0044, respectively), but not with Type 1 PCV. These findings were further corroborated by another control group in the literature.There may be significantly different associations in genetic variants of elastin between two angiographic phenotypes of PCV.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variants in the complement component 3 gene (C3) have been shown to be associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Caucasian populations of European descent. In particular, a nonsynonymous coding variant, rs2230199 (R102G), is presumed to be the most likely causal variant in the C3 locus based on strong statistical evidence for disease association and mechanistic functional evidence. However, the risk allele is absent or rare (

Background/Purpose: To present a case report of retinal metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma that was diagnosed by a histopathologic finding from the surgically extracted tumor tissue. Methods: A 66-year-old man, who was suffered from the treatment-resistant laryngeal carcinoma, was referred to our department because of visual field defect in his right eye. A fundus examination revealed a parafoveal white retinal lesion, which rapidly expanded to the central fovea and decreased the visual acuity. A tissue extraction by 27G pars plana vitrectomy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Results: The abnormal retinal tissue was extracted en block through 10-mm sclerocorneal tunnel during pars plana vitrectomy. The histopathologic findings revealed that the retinal lesion was retinal metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma. Conclusion: We must keep in mind that retinal metastasis can be one of the differential diagnoses for white retinal lesions of unknown cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient narratives of adverse drug events (ADEs) often differ from the symptoms listed on the package inserts of pharmaceutical products using common ADE terminology and could be a source of great comfort to patients with the same disease. To explore this idea, we analyzed written narratives obtained from 48 patients with breast cancer using the NPO Corporation Database of Individual Patients' Experiences, Japan (DIPEx-Japan). Our analysis aimed to determine the utility of an "Adverse Drug Event Database" for use in clinical settings as a novel source of disease information in patients' own words. An analysis of transcripts from 29 patients, in which they recounted their treatment drugs and the time of onset and duration of ADEs in great detail, revealed several discrepancies between the language they used to describe various side effects and the standard ADE terminology on package inserts. We conclude that the language used to describe ADEs on package inserts is insufficient for helping patients as they struggle to recognize, internalize, and overcome ADEs, and argue the need for available, detailed information in the words of real patients about the nature of the ADEs predicted, as well as their clinical course and duration. Such information would be invaluable in supplementing the standardized language used on package inserts. Databases of patients' narrative accounts of ADEs are needed as information sources that can be reliably disseminated among patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese government actively urges pharmacists to support efforts to reduce surplus medicines. However, these activities currently serve only to dispose of surplus medicines; no measures are being taken to fundamentally prevent the accumulation of surplus medicines from the outset. A deep understanding of patients' views about storing medicines at home and how they might be accumulating surplus medicines would contribute to the prevention of surplus accumulation. This study aimed to characterize the process by which elderly chronic disease patients in Japan accumulate surplus medicines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 elderly patients, and the interview data were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA) to present the process by which surplus medicines were accumulated at patients' homes. The results suggest that elderly patients with chronic diseases often wish to avoid unnecessary medications because of anxiety about medicines, and that these patients seek to maximize medicine suppression. In this context, patients use their own judgment to decide whether to use medicines as needed. Additionally, when patients accumulate surplus medicines, they hesitate to throw them away because they feel that to do so is mottainai (wasteful), or because they accumulate surplus medicines as emergency household medicines. These findings reveal when and how surplus medicine accumulation occurs and the points at which pharmacists can easily intervene to promote a close relationship with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common disease affecting younger people and may lead to vision loss. CSC shares phenotypic overlap with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). As recent studies have revealed a characteristic increase of choroidal thickness in CSC, we conducted a genome-wide association study on choroidal thickness in 3,418 individuals followed by TaqMan assays in 2,692 subjects, and we identified two susceptibility loci: CFH rs800292, an established AMD susceptibility polymorphism, and VIPR2 rs3793217 (P = 2.05 × 10−10 and 6.75 × 10−8, respectively). Case–control studies using patients with CSC confirmed associations between both polymorphisms and CSC (P = 5.27 × 10−5 and 5.14 × 10−5, respectively). The CFH rs800292 G allele is reportedly a risk allele for AMD, whereas the A allele conferred risk for thicker choroid and CSC development. This study not only shows that susceptibility genes for CSC could be discovered using choroidal thickness as a defining variable but also, deepens the understanding of differences between CSC and AMD pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical implications of required retreatment after 3-monthly intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injections followed by as-needed reinjections up to 5 years in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for 165 treatment-naïve eyes from 165 patients with exudative AMD. Visual changes were investigated in terms of the required retreatments. Results: Retreatment-free proportions were 37.0, 23.7, 16.6, 12.1, and 10.5% at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months, respectively. Visual changes were significantly better in eyes which did not require retreatment at every yearly checkpoint within the 5 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that requirement of additional IVR treatments in the first 12-24 months was associated with the T allele (risk allele) of ARMS2 A69S (p = 0.010 and 0.015, respectively). Cox regression analysis revealed that older age (p = 0.046) and the T allele of ARMS2 A69S (p = 0.036) were associated with required retreatment within the 5-year follow-up period. Conclusions: Age and the T allele of ARMS2 A69S are the risk factors requiring retreatments, leading to poor visual change in eyes with exudative AMD following the initial 3-monthly IVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate whether complement factor H (CFH) gene DNA variants are associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: A case-control group of 140 CSCR subjects and 2 different control groups: 934 population- based controls and 335 hospital-based controls. Methods: Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CFH (rs3753394, rs800292, rs2284664, rs1329428, and rs106548) were evaluated for association with CSCR in 2 separate association analyses comparing CSCR subjects with 2 different control groups. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan technology (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Main Outcome Measures: Alíele and haplotype frequencies of the 5 variants in the CFH region. Results: Highly statistically significant associations with CSCR were found for the 5 SNPs. The strongest association was observed with rs1329428 (allelic P = 6.44x 10-6; odds ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-2.31, cases vs. population-based controls), which accounted for 35.5% of the population-attributable fraction for CSCR. Consistent with the analysis, rs1329428 showed the strongest disease association (allelic P = 1.00x10~5; odds ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.42-2.50) in comparing cases with hospital-based controls. The second most strongly associated SNP, rs1065489, was correlated highly with the most strongly associated SNP, rs1329428 (r2 = 0.77), and their effects could not be distinguished statistically from each other. A conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that the 2 highly correlated SNPs, rs1329428 and rs1065489, account for the association signals detected at the CFH locus. Conclusions: We identified a novel association between CSCR and common CFH polymorphisms. Our findings support the involvement of CFH in the pathogenesis of CSCR; exploration of the role of CFH could yield important insights into the biological mechanisms underlying CSCR. Our identification of common CFH variants as susceptibility elements for CSCR will open new avenues for research, leading to a better understanding of CSCR pathogenesis and ultimately to the development of improved therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Choroidal neovascularisation is often associated with pathological myopia. Bisphosphonates (BP), the preferred drug for treatment of osteoporosis, are known to have anti-angiogenic effects. Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of oral BP with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (anti-VEGF) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV) over 2 years of follow-up. Methods One hundred eyes of 96 consecutive patients with mCNV who underwent oral BP treatment (alendronate 5 mg/day or 35 mg/week), anti-VEGF therapy, PDT or observation only were followed up for 2 years. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT) in optical coherence tomography were compared among the treatment groups. Results The mean BCVA of the patients was maintained for up to 2 years in the BP and PDT groups. In the anti- VEGF group, the mean BCVA was significantly improved but was significantly worse in the no-treatment group. The visual outcomes were significantly better in the BP, PDT and anti-VEGF groups than the no-treatment group over 2 years of follow-up (-0.28, -0.26 and -0.39 logMAR units, p=0.032, 0.021 and 0.0004, respectively). The mean CRT was significantly decreased in all treatment groups (-84, -121 and -122 mm, p=0.0025, 0.017 and 0.000025, respectively). Conclusions Oral BP should be investigated further as possible therapeutic and preventive drugs for mCNV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]