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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.

Aim: To compare and evaluate the transitions in retinal function after photodynamic therapy (PDT) between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) using multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs). Methods: 10 eyes with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to AMD and 11 eyes with CNV secondary to PCV were included in the study. mfERGs were recorded before PDT, and 1 week and 3 months after PDT. mfERG recordings were acquired by a Veris system (V.3.1.3) using a 103 hexagon stimulus. The first-order kernel was used to calculate amplitudes and latencies. Mean amplitudes and latencies from two central rings rated 0–4° of visual angle were analysed and compared with each disease. Results: In AMD, the mean first negative peak (N1) amplitudes tended to decrease, and the mean first positive peak (N1P1) amplitudes reduced to significant levels (p = 0.047) 1 week after PDT. 3 months after PDT, there were no significant differences in the mean N1 and N1P1 amplitudes compared with pre-PDT values. In PCV, there were no significant changes in the mean N1 and N1P1 amplitudes 1 week after treatment. However, 3 months after PDT, mean amplitudes showed significant increases in N1 (p = 0.008) and N1P1 (p = 0.006) amplitudes compared with pre-PDT values. Conclusions: mfERG recording transitions are different between patients with AMD and those with PCV. In patients with AMD, these results may show transient impairments in retinal function 1 week after PDT, but in those with PCV, the efficacy of PDT is superior to the impairment after PDT.

Aim: To determine the transcriptional proximity of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells grown under different culture conditions and native RPE. Methods: ARPE-19 cells were grown under five conditions in 10% CO2: “subconfluent” in DMEM/F12 + 10% FBS, “confluent” in serum and serum withdrawn, and “differentiated” for 2.5 months in serum and serum withdrawn medium. Native RPE was laser microdissected. Total RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed, and radiolabelled probes were hybridised to an array containing 5353 genes. Arrays were evaluated by hierarchical cluster analysis and significance analysis of microarrays. Results: 78% of genes were expressed by native RPE while 45.3–47.7% were expressed by ARPE-19 cells, depending on culture condition. While the most abundant genes were expressed by native and cultured cells, significant differences in low abundance genes were seen. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that confluent and differentiated, serum withdrawn cultures clustered closest to native RPE, and that serum segregated cultured cells from native RPE. The number of differentially expressed genes and their function, and profile of expressed and unexpressed genes, demonstrate differences between native and cultured cells. Conclusions: While ARPE-19 cells have significant value for studying RPE behaviour, investigators must be aware of how culture conditions can influence the mRNA phenotype of the cell.

Aims: To determine if mild hyperoxia induces senescence in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in vitro. Methods: RPE340 cells and WI38 cells were grown in 20% oxygen and 40% oxygen until proliferative exhaustion. A combined senescence associated β galactosidase (SABG) and 5-bromo-2`-deoxyuridine (BrdU) double labelling technique was performed at different times and labelled cells were counted. Results: Cells grown in 40% oxygen stopped proliferating at an earlier population doubling level than when grown in 20% oxygen. An increase in SABG positive cells and decrease of BrdU positive cells in 40% oxygen developed at an earlier time than when grown in 20% oxygen. Conclusion: Mild hyperoxia induces premature senescence in a specific RPE cell line.

Although the aetiology is not well understood, expulsive suprachoroidal haemorrhaging (ESH) is the most severe complication associated with intraocular surgery. Anticoagulants are considered a risk factor for spontaneous suprachoroidal haemorrhaging in cases with high myopia, age related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.1–5 However, ESH post photocoagulation is extremely rare regardless of anticoagulant therapy. We have experienced a severe case of post-laser ESH correlated with anticoagulant therapy, which resulted in irreversible visual disturbance. A 70 year old woman was diagnosed with pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy based on fluorescein angiographic examinations. Two months before diagnosis, she had right eye cataract surgery. During the past 6 years, the patient received warfarin (4 mg/day) and aspirin …