The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in adults of China has reached 12.8%. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) accounts for approximately 1/4-1/3 of the diabetic population. Several millions of people are estimated suffering the advanced stage of DR, including severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR), proliferative DR (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), which seriously threat to the patients’ vision. On the basis of systematic prevention and control of diabetes and its complications, prevention of the moderate and high-risk NPDR from progressing to the advanced stage is the final efforts to avoid diabetic blindness. The implementation of the DR severity scale is helpful to assess the severity, risk factors for its progression, treatment efficacy and prognosis. In the eyes with vision-threatening DR, early application of biotherapy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor can improve DR with regression of retinal neovascularization, but whether it is possible to induce capillary re-canalization in the non-perfusion area needs more investigation. Laser photocoagulation remains the mainstay treatment for non-center-involved DME and PDR.
With the tremendous progress in fundus imaging and histopathology over the past decade, the understanding of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has taken a qualitative leap. AMD is defined as a progressive neurodegenerative disease of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) characterized by extracellular deposits under RPE and the retina, including drusen, basal laminar and linear deposits, and subretinal drusenoid deposits, that can evolve to atrophy of the retina, RPE and choroid and neovascularization in the choroid and/or retina. It is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in older populations, despite recent advances in treatments. AMD is a multifactorial disease with genetic and environmental factors including advanced age, smoking, high-fat diet, and cardiovascular disorder to enhance the disease susceptibility. The physiopathologic mechanism includes inflammatory processes (complement pathway dysregulation, inflammasome activation), intrinsic (e.g., photo-oxidation) and extrinsic oxidative insult to the retina, age-related metabolic impairment (mitochondrial, autophagic and endoplasmic reticulum stress). Autophagy dysfunction and local inflammation in aged RPE specially result in the extracellular deposits, cell death and AMD. Further investigation of the pathogenesis of AMD will provide with new therapeutic targets and strategy for prevention and treatment of the disease in the early stages.
PURPOSE: Determining the efficacy of vitrectomy in explosive injuries of eye globes and assessing the curcept concept of enucleation for severe traumatized eyes. METIIODS: Clinical records were reviewed on 36 consecutive patients(44 eyes)with severe explosive eyeball injuries. RESULTS:The injuries were caused by explosion of detonator (10 eases), fire-crackers(7 cases) ,explosive and guns(19 cases). Ten eyes(22.7%)were ruptured. Fourty eyes(90. 9%)underwent vitrectomy for posterior segment injuries including vitreous hemorrhage,intraocular foreign bodies, endophthalmitis, and retinal detachment more than 2 weeks after trauma and primary wound repair. Postoperative visual acuity improved in 25 eye(62.5%) ,was stable in 11 eyes(27.5%) ,and decreased in 4 eyes(10%). Final vision was 0. 02 or better (up to 0.7)in 20 eyes(47.6%). No more enucleation was performed except two ruptured eyes (4.5% ) removed in primary clinical units. CONCLUSION :The results suggest that primary wound repair with microsurgery and secondary vitrectomy may reconstruct the eyeball and restore visual functions.at least partially.in the majority of eyes,even though the explosive ocular injuries often induce severe damages and eyeball rupture. It is.thus,recommended that primary enueleation of traumatized eyes should not be performed with an occasional exception. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 169-171)
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of visual impairment worldwide. Severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and proliferative DR (PDR) are defined as vision-threatening DR (VTDR). In the context of managing systemic disease, the primary treatments for VTDR include panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs or dexamethasone sustained release agents, and microincision vitreous surgery. Although these therapies are already widely used in clinical practice, there is still much debate about the optimal timing and method of their application, especially in the pursuit of optimal efficacy, cost-effectiveness, patient compliance, and the reduction of frequent ongoing treatments. There is no consensus on the best treatment for PDR. Determining the specific criteria for each therapy indication is one of the key considerations. In addition, consideration should be given to the priority between PRP and intravitreal injection, as well as to compare the relative effectiveness of anti-VEGF agents with PRP. Early surgical intervention is not always a necessary option for PDR patients with vitreous hemorrhage and fibrovascular membranes. Combining different therapies to optimize treatment strategies is also an important topic. These issues address several points of contention in best practice guidelines that need to be addressed through more in-depth research to provide better guidance for clinical practice and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
An experimental model of proliferative vitretinopathy(PVR) induced by macrophages was used for the evaluation of drug efficacy of daunomycin encapsulated in liposomes in the treatment of PVR.Five mu;g daunomycin(n=40),10mu;g daunomycin-liposome(DL,n=30)and 0.1 ml saline or empty liposomes(n=40,as controls)were injected into the rabbit vitreous after macrophage injection.Retinal detachment developed in 77.5% of the control eyes on day 28,compared to 33.3% of the eyes treated with DL(P<0.01)and 50% of the daunomycin-treated eyes(P<0.05).The results suggest that encapsulation in liposomes of cytotoxic agents can enhance drug efficacy.The phasic course of development of PVR is important in the selection of particular drugs. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1993,9:77-80)
Our previous experiments showed limited results of treatment with daunomycin when given at the inflammatory stage of proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)induced by macrophages in rabbits.In the present study,we observed the inhibition of intraocular cellular proliferation in the same model by daunomycin which was injected in a dosage of 5mu;g 6 days after intravitreal macrophage injection,with 3H-thymidine autoradiography.The efficacy of daunomycin was also compared with that of triamcinolone,and combined triamcinlone and daunomycin.The retinal detachment occurred in 33.3%,16.1%,8.3%and 83.3%(P<0.01) of the eyes treated with daunomycin,triamcinolone,combined drugs and the control groups,respectively.Autoradiography revealed a singnificantly decreased number of labelled nuclei of proliferative cells on days 7 and 14 in daunomycin-treated eyes(compared to controls,18.8plusmn;3.2 vs 35.7plusmn;3.4;52.1plusmn;8.0 vs 81.3plusmn;14.6,P<0.01,respectively).Significantly decreased numbers of inflammatory cells and labelled cells were also noted in eyes treated with triamcinolone and combined drugs.The results suggest that daunomycin given at the proliferative stage,and triamcionlone given at the inflammatory stage of PVR,or combined drugs can prevent traction retinal detachment. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1994,10:229-231)
Drusen is one of the early hallmark changes of AMD. The oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction caused by oxidative phospholipids (OxPLs) in drusen can lead to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death (apoptosis, pyroptosis, etc.) and the formation of choroidal neovascularization, which is the pathogenesis of AMD. Pyroptosis, also known as inflammatory necrosis, is one of the main forms of OxPLs induced cell death. Proinflammatory factors released by pyroptic cells can in turn aggravate the inflammatory reaction, leading to further damage. In order to prevent AMD, inflammatory response and cell death may be reduced by regulating lipid metabolism, reducing OxPLs endocytosis and increasing cholesterol efflux. In-depth understanding effects of OxPLs, inflammation and RPE pyrosis in the pathogenesis of AMD in elucidate the pathogenesis of AMD and to seek new treatment measures has important clinical significance.
Purpose To investigate the expression of the interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-alpha;) in epiretinal membranes(ERM) of eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR). Methods Nineteen epiretinal membranes were obtained form eyes undergoing vitrectomy for retinal detachment complicated with PVR and observed by immunohistochemical methods. Results Expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha; were observed in 12 and 15 membranes respectively with positive staining mostly in extracellular matrix of epiretinal membranes.Only one membrane showed positive to IL-6 intracellularly,and expression for IL-6 and TNF-alpha; simultaneously in membranes. Conclusion The findings indicate that IL-6、and TNF-alpha;might be involved in the development of PVR. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:219-221)
Purpose To investigate the pattern of subretinal neovascular membrane(SRNVM)in central exudative chorioretinitis(CEC). Methods With the help of a PC microcomputer,we performed a quantitative measurement of SRNVM in 32 eyes of 32 patients with Rieger is CEC. Results SRNVM-optic disc area ratio were 0.1151plusmn;0.0842.The foveola was on the top of SRNVM in 7 cases.The other 25 of SRNVMs were scattered in macular area around foveola,and 2 of them were nasal to it.The distance between the edge of SRNVM and foveola was less than 175mu;m in 13 cases,175~300mu;m in 4 cases and more than 300mu;m in 15 cases. Conclusion To be compared with the previous data,the present results suggested that laser photocoagulation might be one of the most important therapies for SRNVM in Rieger is CEC. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:114-115)
In vivo and in vitro tracer studies, e. g., fundus fluorescein angiography, fluorescein and lanthanum tracer procedures were carried out on mild and severe blunt ocular trauma in rabbits to investigate pathological changes of the blood retinal barrier. Noo difusion of the tracers was found in the retinal after mild blunt trauma. However, severe disorganization of the retinal pigment epithelial cells and breakdown of the outer blood retinal barrier with permeation of tracers in the interphotoreceptor space were evident after severe blunt trauma. These results suggest that contusional retinal edema is mainly due to disruption of cells in the outer retinal layer barrier may, in part, play a role in pathogenesis of the retinal edema. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1992,8:130-132)