Wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) is caused by choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which occurs when the choroidal new capillaries reach the RPE layer and photoreceptor cell layer through the ruptured Bruch membrane, leading to neovascularization bleeding, leakage, and scarring. In view of the important role of VEGF in the development of CNV, targeted therapy with various intraocular anti-VEGF drugs is the first-line treatment for wAMD. However, the efficacy of anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of wAMD is affected by a variety of factors, and some patients still have problems such as unresponsiveness, drug resistence, tachyphylaxis, long-term repeated injections, and severe adverse effects. It is the direction of future researches to deeply explore the physiological and pathological process of wAMD, find the cause of CNV formation, and seek better therapies.
Objective To observe the baseline characteristics and visual outcomes after two years follow-up of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients treated with ranibizumb. Methods Forty-four eyes of 44 patients with exudative AMD were enrolled into this retrospective study, 19 were men and 25 were women. The mean age was 78 years (range 64 – 92 years). All patients were underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study), fundus color photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The mean BCVA was (50.36±14.43) letters, the mean central foveal thickness (CFT) was (291.95±82.19) μm, and the fluorescence leakage area of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was (7.61±5.84) mm2. All patients received three initial intravitreous injection of ranibizumb (IVR) and were retreated with monthly IVR when needed. The mean follow up time was 25.6 months (range 24 – 29 months). On 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, BCVA and OCT were repeated. On 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, FFA and ICGA were repeated. The change of BCVA, CFT and fluorescence leakage area of CNV were observed. The association of baseline characteristics and two year visual outcomes were analyzed. Results On 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, the BCVA were improved significantly (t= −1.89, −3.51, −4.61, −4.04, −5.77, −4.69;P＜0.05), the CFT were decreased significantly (t=1.51, 2.30, 3.40, 3.28, 3.54, 3.88, 3.73;P＜0.05). On 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, the fluorescence leakage area of CNV were reduced significantly (t=2.12, 2.90, 3.51, 4.12, 4.06;P＜0.05). The lower baseline BCVA, the more improved after treatment. The BCVA improvement degree has a negative relationship with baseline BCVA and fluorescence leakage area of CNV (r=0.505, −0.550;P＜0.05), but no correlation with baseline CFT (r=0.210,P＞0.05). Conclusion Two year visual outcomes of exudative AMD patients treated with ranibizumb is negative correlated with baseline BCVA and fluorescence leakage area of CNV, but not correlated with baseline CFT.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab therapy for serous pigment epithelial detachment (sPED) secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration(eAMD). MethodsTwenty-three eyes from 23 patients of eAMD with sPED were enrolled in this study. The best corrected visual acuity, ocular coherence tomography (OCT), maximum PED height from baseline, volume of PED and central fovea thickness(CFT)were collected monthly for these patients. And the patients were receiced intravitreal injection with ranibizumab of 0.5 mg of three consecutive monthly injections. ResultsNo complications were observed during the study period. After 6 months follow-up, 17 eyes improved, 4 eyes unchanged and only 2 eye decreased. The best corrected visual acuity was from 0.77±0.39 up to 0.61±0.27(t=2.601, P < 0.05). It was observed by OCT that the PED height was decreased from (357.2±171.9)μm (before treatment) to (247.7±171.7)μm (after treatment) (t=3.192, P < 0.05) and the volume of PED was decreased from(0.741±1.012) mm3 to (0.337±0.498) mm3 (t=2.502, P < 0.05). The central foveal thickness was decreased from (317.9±73.8)μm to (302.5±89.3)μm, but the difference were no statistically significantly (t=0.887, P > 0.05). ConclusionRanibizumab may be an effective treatment for improving vision and reducing the degree of PED in eAMD patients.
Anti-vascular dndothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs have open up a new treatment channel for ocular neovascular diseases. A lots of clinical data has proved that anti-VEGF drugs are effective and safe. But we should also notice that long-term and excessive usage of anti-VEGF drugs brings some new problems and complications, and even affect the normal ocular physiological process of the angiogenesis and retinal blood flow. So, it is necessary to pay attention to the problems and potential risks of excessive usage of anti-VEGF therapies for ocular neovascular disease.
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab(Lucentis) on exudative age－related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods To analyze retrospectively the clinical data of 56 patients with exudative AMD, which was diagnosed by examination of ETDRS charts, color fundus photograph, fluorescein angiography(FFA) or indocyanine green angiography(ICGA) and optical coherence tomography(OCT), were underwent intravitreal injection Lucentis 0.5 mg. Before the treatment, the ETDRS charts letter of 56 eyes was 25.1; choroidal neovascularization(CNA) was leaky which examined by FFA and ICGA; the average thickness of retina was 303.45 mu;m. Ranibizumab injection therapeutic times were 2.8, the average therapeutic times were 3.1. Follow－up time was 6－12 months (mean 8.7 months). Visual acuity (ETDRS charts letter), retinal thickness, leakage of CNV and operative complications before and after the treatment were analyzed. Results At the end of the follow－up period, the mean letter of ETDRS charts was 38.5, increased 13.4 letters (P＜0.01), the ETDRS charts improved 15 or more letters in 22 eyes (39.3%), decreased more than 15 letters in 2 eyes (3.6%); the foveal thickness on OCT images were 303.45 mu;m before treatment and 191.35 mu;m a fter treatment, decreased significantly (P＜0.00); FFA and/ or ICGA showed CNV complete closure in 12 eyes (21.4%), partial closure in 33 eyes (58.9%), no change in 9 eyes (16.1%) and new CNV in 1 eye (1.8%); Slight complications after operation disappeared during one week. Conclusion Intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab for exudative AMD was well tolerated, with an improvement in VA, FFA or ICGA , and OCT. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:160-163)
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for choroidal neovas cularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods A total of 21 eyes of 21 patients with AMD, which was diagnosed by examination of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ocular fundus, fundus color photography, fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA), indocyanine green angiography(ICGA)and optic coherence tomography(OCT), were underwent PDT combined with intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab. The patients, 15 males (15 eyes) and 6 females (6 eyes), aged from 56 to 78 years, with the average of 68.6 years. The best corrected visual acuity：counting fingers/10cm0.9, logMAR was 1.04 plusmn; 0.41.CNV located in below or side central fovea of macula. There was obvious leakage of fluorescein which examined by FFA and ICGA. The average of retinal thickness of macular foveal was （258.91 plusmn; 78.66）mu;m. The treatment method of PDT has to according to the way of PDT for TAP and Verteporfin PDT for VIP. Intravitreal infection with 1.5mg bevacizumab was performed after three days under surface anesthesia. Follow-up time was 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the treatment. Results At last visit, the best-corrected visual acuity：counting fingers/10 cm 1.5, logMAR was 1.04plusmn;0.41, and the differences are statistically significant compared with before. The BCVA improved four or more lines in 6 eyes (28.57%), improved two to four lines in 9 eyes (42.86%), stabilized (plusmn;1 line or no change) in 6 eyes (28.57%) and decreased in none. The average intraocular pressure was （15.20plusmn;2.41）mmHg after surgery, and the differences was not statistically significant compared with before（P＞0.05）. FFA and ICGA showed CNV complete closure in 13 eyes (61.90 %), partial closure in 8 eyes (38.10%). The average of retinal thickness of mac ular foveal was（127.38plusmn;20.14） mu;m (P＜0.01). Conclusion Combining treatment with PDT and intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab is safe and effective for CNV which caused by AMD. It has significant improvement in BCVA, leakage of CNV and retinal edema. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:164-167)
Objective To investigate the effects of celecoxib-poly lactide-co-glycolide microparticles (CEL-PLGA-MS) on rat retina after intravitreal injection. Methods A total of 32 male Brown Norway rats were randomly divided into CEL-PLGA-MS group and celecoxib group, 16 rats in each group. The rats in CEL-PLGA-MS group were divided into four dosage group, four rats in each group, which received intravitreal injection of PLGA with celecoxib at the concentration of 40, 80, 160, 320 mu;mol/L, respectively. The rats in celecoxib group were divided into four dosage group, four rats in each group, which received intravitreal injection of celecoxib at the concentration of 40, 80, 160, 320 mu;mol/L, respectively. Phosphate buffer solution (PBS) was injected in two rats as PBS control group. Two rats as normal control group received no treatment. The difference of retinal thickness among groups was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The morphological and histological change of retina was evaluated under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Results There was no difference of retinal thickness between normal control group and PBS control group (F=0.12,P＞0.05). At the first week after injection, the retinal thickness of CEL-PLGA-MS group and celecoxib group were thicker than that in normal control group and PBS control group (F=9.62, 46.13;P＜0.01). The retinal thickness of celecoxib group was thicker than that in CEL-PLGA-MS group (F=165.15,P＜0.01). The retinal thickness was estimated equal among 40, 80, 320 mu;mol/L dosage groups in CEL-PLGA-MS group (F=4.79,P＜0.01). The retinal thickness of 160, 320 mu;mol/L dosage group were thicker than that in 40, 80 mu;mol/L dosage group in celecoxib group (F=28.10,P＜0.01). At the second week after injection, there was no difference of retinal thickness between CEL-PLGA-MS and celecoxib group (F=3.79,P＞0.05); the retinal thickness of CEL-PLGA-MS and celecoxib group became thinner gradually compare to the first week after injection (F=7.28, 103.99; P＜0.01). At the fourth week after injection, the retinal thickness of celecoxib group was thicker than that in CEL-PLGA-MS group (F=19.11,P＜0.01). The retinal thickness of CEL-PLGA-MS group was approximately the same to normal control group and PBS control group (F=2.02,P＞0.05). The retinal thickness of celecoxib group was thicker than that in normal control group and PBS control group. No considerable abnormality of the retina was seen by light microscope and the retinal thickness corresponded with the values measured by OCT at the first week after injection. The abnormal structures of the retina were seen in 160, 320 mu;mol/L dosage group of celecoxib group and inner changed evidently by the transmission electron microscope. Disordered arrangement of microfilaments, dilated microtubule and some mitochondria vacuolation were observed in 320mu;mol/L dosage group of celecoxib group. Others changed slightly. Conclusions CEL-PLGA-MS has less toxicity on the retina than free-celecoxib after intravitreal injection. The safety of intravitreal injection with CEL-PLGA-MS is better than celecoxib.
Objective To investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal bevacizumab on wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods In this retrospective study, 34 eyes (28 cases) diagnosed with wet AMD received PDT combined intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, including 25 eyes with classic CNV and 9 eyes with minimally classic CNV by fluorescein angiography; On optical coherence tomography (OCT), 23 eyes showed intraretinal fluid (IRF) and 11 eyes presented subretinal fluid (SRF). After signing informed consent, all patients underwent initial standard PDT followed by intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) within succeeding 3 to 7 days. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT with routine eye examinations were evaluated monthly. Additional bevacizumab (1.25 mg) was injected intravitreally if new or increasing fluid appreciated on OCT, or BCVA lowered more than 5 letters even with stabilized fluid. Injection was discontinued if no fluid was showed on OCT (quot;dry macularquot;), or BCVA was stabilized even with fluid after two consecutive injections. BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT) were analyzed and compared between baseline and 6 month follow-up. The correlation between parameters such as baseline BCVA, greatest linear dimension (GLD), type of CNV, SRF or IRF and posttreatment BCVA will be analyzed. The injection number of bevacizumab and complications were recorded. Results Compared to baseline, BCVA improved (9.4plusmn;10.2) letters and reach 44.9plusmn;21.3 letters (t=5.438，P＜0.01) and CRT decreased (184.6plusmn;214.6) mu;m (t=4.810，P＜0.01) at 6 month visit. The average of injection number was 1.9plusmn;0.9 (including initial injection of combination therapy). With multiple lineal regression analysis, only baseline BCVA correlated to posttreatment BCVA at 6 month visit (r=0.802.P＜0.01). The type of CNV, GLD, SRF or IRF on OCT and CRT at baseline were not associated to post-treatment BCVA (r=0.053, -0.183, 0.139 and 0.053, respectively.P＞0.05). BCVA of eyes with SRF (14.7 letters) increased more than eyes with IRF (6.9 letters) on OCT (t=-2.207，P=0.035). The change of BCVA after treatment (t=-0.076), change of CRT (t=-1.028) and number of injections (Z=-1.505) were not different between classic CNV and minimally classic CNV (P＞0.05). The change of CRT (t=-0.020) and number of injections (Z=-0.237) did not present difference between SRF and IRF (P＞0.05). The change of BCVA (t=1.159) and number of injections (Z=-1.194) were not correlated to whether residual fluid or not at 6 month visit (P＞0.05). No severe complications were noticed during follow-up.Conclusion For wet AMD patients, PDT combined intravitreal bevacizumab could improve visual acuity, reduce retinal thickness and control CNV progress in a short-term.
Objective To observe the clinical effects and safety of Bevacizumab on recurrent idiopathic choroidal neoascularization(CNV). Methods To analyze retrospectively the clinical data of 21 eyes of 20 patients with recurrent idiopathic CNV who had intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab(0.05 ml 1.25 mg) after signing the letter of consent. In these patients, 12 cases (13 eyes) had been cured by photodynamic therapy (PDT), and 8 cases (8 eyes) had been cured by transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). The follow-up periods were 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after injection. The inspection findings of best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomogr aphy (OCT) before and after the treatment were observed and analyzed. It could inject once more by the same way if there are recurrences in follow-up period. Results At the end of follow-up period, the BCVA improved obviously (gt;1 lines) in 14 eyes (66.7%)，kept stable (changed within 1 line)in 5 eyes (23.8%) and decreased (gt;1 lines) in 2 eyes(9.5%). The complete closure of CNV in 17 eyes (81.0%) and partial closure in 4 eyes (19.0%) were observed by FFA images. The thickness of retina in macular region decreased 115 micron. 3 eyes (14.3%) has inject again during follow-up period. The intraocular pressure increased in 4 eyes(19.0%) , the average intraocular pressure was 26.7 mm Hg（1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa). They have been returned to normal through the treatment. There was no serious adverse reaction in process of treatment. Conclusion Intravitreal infection of Bevacizumab can reduce the leakage of recurrent CNV and macular edema after PDT or TTT. About 2/ 3 patients can improve their visual acuity obviously. No severe complication or adverse reaction was observed in this study. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:168-171)
Objective To compare the clinic therapeutic effect of intravitreal ranibizumab injection versus photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injection for idiopathic choroidal neovascularizatio (ICNV), and to investigate the clinical effect and safety of treatment. Methods A randomized controlled clinical prospective study was performed for 27 patients (27 eyes) diagnosed as ICNV. Fourteen patients were assigned to receive PDT and intravitreal ranibizumab injection (combination roup.n=14); the control group was treated with only intravitreal ranibizumab injection (single group, n=13).The combination group was treated with an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) 1 week after PDT. The bestcorrected visual acuity (BCVA) (logMAR), examination of the ocular fundus, fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed respectively at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. If choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was only partially regressed or the leakage went on during follow-up, those patients were re-injected with ranibizumab. Results After 12 months, the average vision is 0.22plusmn;0.11 in single group, and 0.21plusmn;0.12 in combination group, and the differences were not significant (t=0.187, P=0.853). In single group FFA and ICGA showed completely closed CNV in 10 eyes (77.92%), and almost closed CNV in 3 eyes (23.08%) with obvious reduction of fluorescence leakage. In combination group FFA and ICGA showed completely closed CNV in 12 eyes (85.71%), and almost closed CNV in 2 eyes (14.29%) with obvious reduction of fluorescence leakage; OCT showed the subretinal fluid absorption and reduction of CNV. The average macular retinal thickness (MRT) in single groups is （167.96plusmn;10.69） m, and in combination groups is （171.64plusmn;11.30）m. In single and combination groups MRT decreased significantly at the final follow-up, but no significant differences in both groups (t=-0.887.P=0.389). The average number of intravitreal injection was （1.5plusmn;0.7） in combination group and （2.4plusmn;1.0） in single group (t=2.821，P=0.009). There were no ocular or systemic adverse events observed except for one patient with subconjunctival hemorrhage in the single group.Conclusions Intravitreal ranibizumab injection and PDT combined with intravitreal bevacizumab injection are both effective and safe for the patients with ICNV. The combined therapy can induce CNV regression, fundus hemorrhage and exudation absorption more effectively, and have less recurred CNV and side effects.